Winterthur, Delaware, legacy of Henry Francis du Pont, 1880-1969, American
Weeping European beech (Fagus sylvatica pendula)
Somewhat dishevelled from the exterior.
Magnificent in its interior.
The ground on which it stands appears to be barren but we know that is alive otherwise it itself would have died long since.
Friend of many years now.
Are grade school kids permitted to climb it?
There is no sign to prevent it. But this tree is one of the secrets of Winterthur. Infrequently visited even by adults.
I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of children I have seen in Winterthur in 25 years who are over the age of 9 or 10. Those under that age are organized towards Enchanted Woods which was prepared for child’s play. Those above that age are not brought to the grounds but to the museum itself, if they are brought at all, where there are activities for them. Mt. Cuba, on the other hand, seems to be teaching grade-school kids about the birds and the bees.