The Story Behind Glen Cove's Newest Christmas Tree

The holiday season arrived in Village Square recently with the installation of a 
35-foot tree generously donated by Jerry Ahern and his late wife Susan Bosworth Ahern. The tree was cut, transported and set in place by crews from National Grid and Glen Cove Department of Public Works.

Ahern said the tree has a significant place in the city's history as well as his own. He told the story as follows to Downtown BID Executive Director Francine Koehler:

"Susan and I moved into the house of Myra Stoddard, Sue’s mother, in 1980. Myra’s husband Roy was the chief caretaker of the Welwyn Pratt Estate until his death.

Many of the shrubs that surrounded our house in 1980 were planted by the Stoddards and were grown there, in the greenhouses that once lined the fields. 
What struck me most when we moved in was the pine tree that stood in front of our house. It stood higher than the rest of the trees in the neighborhood at well over 100 feet tall. What was even more striking is that it was a double eagle — two trees growing together to make up a colossal tree.

It got its roots from the Welwyn Pine Forest which still survives today (but not in its former glory). Sue explained to me how Mr. Pratt would import trees from all over the world and plant them in his forest. 

In the ‘90’s during a series of snowstorms our tree would creak and moan through the night. Eventually it split. We called our friend, Tom Duffy, to secure her. He put a thick cable between. After the tree was removed there was a void in front of our house.

One day, a seedling sprouted near the site of the old tree. It grew straight, tall and wide. We are sorry to see it go, but it has grown too large for our property."
The tree will have the place of honor at the Downtown BID’s Holiday Spirit Festival and Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 30th at 1:30 p.m. in Village Square.