Landmark tree at funeral home comes down

ENID, Okla. Since before statehood and the opening of the Cherokee Outlet with the Land Run in 1893, an American elm has stood watch over the land that became Enid.

But Friday, after more than 130 years, a landmark in the Kenwood Historic District was removed from the lawn of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

It was a bittersweet day for family matriarch Becky Cummings, as men from Rockys (Family) Tree Service worked to remove older trees from the property, including the iconic American elm that has stood at the intersection of Maple, Kenwood and Adams for more than a century.

Children and grandchildren visited before Jose Quinonez began to carefully dissect the tree for further use in furniture making. Cummings recalled family memories that included the tree, recalling one of her daughters sitting before it on her wedding day for pictures.

Were going to use everything we can, Cummings said. It will not be forgotten.

She said her grandmother told stories of the tree being fully grown when she was girl, walking to junior high, which then was north of the building that now houses Lincoln Academy.

Cummings and her husband, Joe, believe the tree was at least 130 years old.

We knew it was dying for about three years, Becky said. That last freeze was so hard.

She said the elm will live on, with seedlings taken from it over the years being re-planted on the property in several locations.

Quinonez and Joe Lamerton, of Jos. Lamerton Woodworking LLC., spoke before planning cuts to the tree, ensuring the greatest amount for use in a library table or other piece.

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Landmark tree at funeral home comes down