This message came this morning from Principal Jonathan Long at Woodstock:
I am sorry to say that over the past 3 years, Woodstock’s iconic Lyre Tree has steadily deteriorated. Many years ago, the area surrounding the tree was landscaped with concrete. There is little doubt that this was a major factor in the tree’s decline. Corrective action was taken when visible signs of decline were seen, but the damage had already been done. In fact, the tree has carried the weariness of age in its tired limbs for some time.
Two months ago, Dr Harsh from the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun declared the tree to be dead. He also alerted us to the fact that the dead tree was at risk of falling over in a high wind during the monsoon.
For many in our worldwide community, students, staff, alumni and friends alike, the Lyre Tree has been a living symbol of all that we hold dear on this hillside. Its passing is a sad occasion and one which will come as sorrowful news. We have thoroughly explored a range of options including possible ways of preserving the tree. After careful discussion, the best course of action is for us to have the tree removed and for the timber to be preserved for uses yet to be determined.
In recent days, the Forest Department have given us formal permission to remove the tree. The date has been set for 6th August. At 11am that day, a short ceremony will be held at the Lyre Tree to mark the occasion in a dignified manner. This will include a reading of Mary Burgoyne’s poignant poem, “The Lyre Tree”. Written in 1954, at the time of Woodstock’s centenary, it was first read after a competition was held to choose a new symbol for the school. A new tree will also be planted on campus to mark this occasion.
If you have any comments or reflections which you would like to have included as part of the ceremony, do let me know. The event will be filmed and available on the school’s website shortly thereafter. We will keep the alumni community informed on how the timber is used and welcome your suggestions.
Sincerely,
And this poem from Mrs. Burgoyne:
Storms of a hundred years have bent your branches,
Snows of a century have crowned your head,
Over the hills you’ve watched Spring’s soft advances,
Summer and winter under your boughs have spread
Needles of green and needles of gold that shower
Over the students passing beneath your shade.
You have been waiting this Centennial hour
Facing your life of struggle unafraid.
Teach us your steadfastness, your quiet growing,
Sending your roots deep into the living earth.
Tell us the sacred peace you gain in knowing
Sunshine and sorrow, solitude and mirth;
Sing us your music, playing with breezy fingers
Over the strings that winds have torn and swept,
Symbol of song, a century’s music lingers
After the tears our foolish hearts have wept.
Tell us your secret, Lyre Tree above us,
Watching the children climb the steps to school,
Is it that in your heart you really love us
Sinner or saint, scholar or sage or fool?
Symbol of strength, many have come, returning
Back to the hills our youthful feet have trod,
Thankful in heart for beauty, and friends and learning,
Grateful to share your hundred years with God.
I remember it in so many settings but this is one of my favorites, the weekend Jack and I shared Woodstock and Mussoorie with John Chaffee's son Tim - I hardly need to tell you who he is!
The Legacy of the Lyre Tree
I am sorry to say that over the past 3 years, Woodstock’s iconic Lyre Tree has steadily deteriorated. Many years ago, the area surrounding the tree was landscaped with concrete. There is little doubt that this was a major factor in the tree’s decline. Corrective action was taken when visible signs of decline were seen, but the damage had already been done. In fact, the tree has carried the weariness of age in its tired limbs for some time.
Two months ago, Dr Harsh from the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun declared the tree to be dead. He also alerted us to the fact that the dead tree was at risk of falling over in a high wind during the monsoon.
For many in our worldwide community, students, staff, alumni and friends alike, the Lyre Tree has been a living symbol of all that we hold dear on this hillside. Its passing is a sad occasion and one which will come as sorrowful news. We have thoroughly explored a range of options including possible ways of preserving the tree. After careful discussion, the best course of action is for us to have the tree removed and for the timber to be preserved for uses yet to be determined.
In recent days, the Forest Department have given us formal permission to remove the tree. The date has been set for 6th August. At 11am that day, a short ceremony will be held at the Lyre Tree to mark the occasion in a dignified manner. This will include a reading of Mary Burgoyne’s poignant poem, “The Lyre Tree”. Written in 1954, at the time of Woodstock’s centenary, it was first read after a competition was held to choose a new symbol for the school. A new tree will also be planted on campus to mark this occasion.
If you have any comments or reflections which you would like to have included as part of the ceremony, do let me know. The event will be filmed and available on the school’s website shortly thereafter. We will keep the alumni community informed on how the timber is used and welcome your suggestions.
Sincerely,
And this poem from Mrs. Burgoyne:
The Lyre Tree
Mary Esther Badley BurgoyneStorms of a hundred years have bent your branches,
Snows of a century have crowned your head,
Over the hills you’ve watched Spring’s soft advances,
Summer and winter under your boughs have spread
Needles of green and needles of gold that shower
Over the students passing beneath your shade.
You have been waiting this Centennial hour
Facing your life of struggle unafraid.
Teach us your steadfastness, your quiet growing,
Sending your roots deep into the living earth.
Tell us the sacred peace you gain in knowing
Sunshine and sorrow, solitude and mirth;
Sing us your music, playing with breezy fingers
Over the strings that winds have torn and swept,
Symbol of song, a century’s music lingers
After the tears our foolish hearts have wept.
Tell us your secret, Lyre Tree above us,
Watching the children climb the steps to school,
Is it that in your heart you really love us
Sinner or saint, scholar or sage or fool?
Symbol of strength, many have come, returning
Back to the hills our youthful feet have trod,
Thankful in heart for beauty, and friends and learning,
Grateful to share your hundred years with God.
I remember it in so many settings but this is one of my favorites, the weekend Jack and I shared Woodstock and Mussoorie with John Chaffee's son Tim - I hardly need to tell you who he is!
