UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY, Pa — Yesterday’s wind brought down many trees across our viewing area, but none with more historical significance than this tree on Penn State’s campus in Centre County.
The original 'Old Willow' was planted on Penn State’s campus back in the 1800's. Yesterday, Mother Nature’s aggressive winds brought down the third descendant of the original campus landmark yesterday afternoon.
Located on old main lawn, the tree was the third of its kind at Penn State. The original cutting was planted in 1859 by former PSU Professor William Waring.
Legend has it that the cutting was obtained by former PSU President Evan Pugh from the home of British poet Alexander Pope.
The original tree succumbed to a storm in 1923, and pieces of that tree helped grow the second descendant before this most recent tree replaced it in the 70's.
A fourth generation of the tree will be grown with remains of its predecessor in the university’s tree nursery, and will eventually be planted back on campus.
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