It's a sad thing to have to report the news that a tree has had to be felled, but it is even sadder - in our case - when that particular tree was directly connected with Charlotte Brontë and her happy, short-lived marriage to Arthur Bell Nicholls.
The story is remotely reminiscent of the chestnut tree in Jane Eyre - only the problem here is with the roots, not lightning.
From the
Yorkshire Post:
A tree planted by Charlotte Brontë as symbol of her marriage flourished in the grounds of the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth over the years.
Yesterday, more than 150 years after it was planted, it had to be felled because it was considered dangerous – but officials are determined to see it rise again.
The Cyprus pine was regarded as a poignant reminder of the last chapter in the author's life – the match with Arthur Bell Nicholls, who was to become a widower before they could celebrate their first anniversary.
One of a pair said to have been planted by the couple, it was cut down yesterday because it had been deteriorating for years and had become dangerous.
The tree will, however, live on. A sapling cultivated from a seed is already in place and will be grown on to replace the original.
It is also hoped that the wood from the first tree can be used to create a work of art as part of the Brontë Society's contemporary arts programme, perhaps turned into a sculpture by a chainsaw artist.
It is said that the trees were planted by Charlotte Brontë and Arthur Nicholls as part of their wedding celebrations when the couple married in Haworth Church on June 29 1854.
The ceremony took place early in the morning with only a handful of guests and after the wedding breakfast they left for their honeymoon in Ireland, returning a few weeks later for a reception in the school room opposite the Parsonage.
The union was happy but cut tragically short when Charlotte died on March 31 1855 while in the early stages of pregnancy. It was three weeks before her 39th birthday.
Ann Dinsdale, collections' manager at the Brontë Parsonage Museum said: "Charlotte entered into marriage with some misgiving, she ended up marrying Mr Nicholls, who was her father's curate.
"She had known him for some years, it seems that he was very much in love with her and I think by 1854 she was very lonely.
"She was living at the Parsonage with just her father for company as she had lost her siblings and I think that may have made her look again at Mr Nicholls."
Museum director Alan Bentley said yesterday: "It is with great regret that we have had to remove the tree but we have taken expert advice and the roots are dying, meaning that the tree has become dangerous.
"Thankfully some years ago the Brontë Society gathered seeds from the tree and a sapling was grown ready to replace the tree in this eventuality.
"It is also good to know that the wood from the tree will live on as part of a Brontë-inspired work of art."
The pair of Cyprus pines were placed right at the bottom of the garden, directly opposite the front doors of the parsonage, on either side of what was known as The Gate of the Dead. This area is now blocked off but it was where coffins were brought into the grounds.
The remaining Cyprus pine is still in place, and the new sapling has been planted to replace the tree that has been felled. (Joanne Ginley) (Picture source)
A few positive things are to be highlighted: the fact that there is one of the pair still left and a sapling already growing and more seeds in store just in case and the fact that a piece of art will possibly come from the wood of this tree.
The
Halifax Courier also covers the news.
Museum curator [sic] Alan Bentley said: "The tree had been ill for over 10 years but recently it started really deteriorating.
"One of the reasons the Brontes are still famous is that they have inspired many other artists - and so has the landscape and the house. We want a piece of art that will reflect that.
"But it may be that we have to make a number of smaller sculptures, as we are not sure what the artist will be able to do with the sickly wood."
Hopefully both the old and the new tree will live for many, many years and some nice work(s) of art will come out of this 'sickly' wood.
Categories: Brontë Parsonage Museum, In the News
It's a sad thing to have to report the news that a tree has had to be felled, but it is even sadder - in our case - when that particular tree was directly connected with Charlotte Brontë and her happy, short-lived marriage to Arthur Bell Nicholls.
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