Granby Landmark Gets New Safeguards

GRANBY, CT — One of Granby’s oldest landmarks has received new care meant to help it stand for years to come.

The Granby Land Trust said it recently completed several improvements at the Dewey-Granby Oak property, home to a tree estimated to be nearly 500 years old.

The work included tree and property maintenance by Granby native Brian Watkins, founder of Arborworks, along with his son Dan Watkins, owner of Beeworks, according to the land trust.

Crews also placed boulders to keep vehicles from parking on the oak’s sensitive root system, installed signs asking visitors not to climb the tree, cleared invasive plants beginning to move in around the oak and created a safer parking area north of the tree’s roots.

The property is listed by the Granby Land Trust as a 1.5-acre owned parcel at 82 Day Street. The land trust’s property records list the 1997 transfer from Carolyn D. Anderson.

The Dewey-Granby Oak has long been treated as one of the town’s most recognizable natural landmarks. A Granby Drummer history piece describes the ancient oak on Day Street as a symbol of the town, while earlier Patch background noted that the tree has been tied to Granby’s town seal and local identity for decades.

The Granby Land Trust thanked property steward Eric Lukingbeal, Brian and Dan Watkins, Patrick Hanley of Hanley Landscaping and Day Street neighbors who helped with the work, including Blaine Schweizer, who helped move protective rocks into place.

The land trust said the improvements are part of its effort to preserve the health and longevity of what it called one of Connecticut’s most treasured trees.

The Granby Land Trust, founded in 1972, says it works to preserve scenic views, open space, wildlife habitat, sensitive land and farmland. The organization says it protects more than 3,400 acres overall through land ownership and conservation easements.