With the hurricane of doom fast approaching, most New Yorkers are huddled inside their apartments, scented candles and dried fruit close at hand. One of the oldest New Yorkers, however, will remain outdoors, weathering the storm as it has weathered storms for the past 150 to 200 years. The Woodside beach tree that earlier this month sought landmark status can't go inside, because it's a tree. And there is a decent chance that it's about to get messed up. Now, we admit, we never really paid much attention to the Woodside beech's battle for protected status, possibly because it seemed so unlikely at the time. (When considering another group of trees, Landmarks' director of research once remarked, "Trees die, unfortunately.") So maybe it's guilt or maybe it's Frankenstorm madness, but we say that if the Woodside beech makes it through unscathed, that in itself will be proof of its worthiness. For now, all we can do is wait, but let's take this opportunity to reflect on the Woodside beech in what might be its final hours, to think about its broad branches, its sturdy trunk, its...tree...shape. Woodside beech, we hardly knew you.
· Tree That May Date to Revolution Deserves Landmark Status, Advocates Say [DNA]
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