Storm Downs Historic Trees

On the afternoon of December 9th, a powerful windstorm with 100 mph gusts toppled four of the six towering cottonwood trees that mark the entrance to the park?s historic Penniman House. The 1868 house was the home of whaling captain Edward Penniman, who reputedly brought the cottonwood seedlings back in his vest pocket after a trip to Chicago in 1880 and planted them along the drive leading to his home. Ironically, earlier this year the park and the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation signed a project agreement to propagate seedlings from the root stock of these trees for future planting to replace the aging trees.  Fortunately, two of the trees survive so the park can move forward with the propagation. Meanwhile, the park continues storm cleanup. Much of Cape Cod suffered a power outage that lasted several days. Locals claim the winds from the brief but powerful storm were the worst on the cape since the 1938 hurricane.