SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2006 .. This majestic tree has shaded various incarnations of borough halls for, I'm guessing, at least a century.

SUNDAY, FEB. 12, 2006.. Metuchen's new borough hall was completed in July, 2004. (It wasn't snowing then.)

APRIL 2005..

MAY 2005..

BACKDROP.. May 21, 2006: The purple-leaf beech in the background is a nice color contrast with the Japanese zelkovas, planted in 2004 at Borough Hall.

INSIDE.. May 21, 2006: Interesting that the outside leaves of the purple European beech are a dark purple, but the inside ones are green. Plant this tree in full sun or else the whole thing will be green, not that there's anything wrong with being green.

BACKDROP.. May 21, 2005: The purple-leaf beech in the background is a nice color contrast with the Japanese zelkovas, planted in 2004 at Borough Hall. (Cool! This caption is the same as above, except for the year!)

REASON FOR CONCERN.. While the tree is a beautiful adornment for the town hall, I'm afraid it's a bit close to the new building. And besides, no precaution was taken by the construction company to minimize damage to the root zone.	THOSE ARE BUGS.. May 21, 2005: This tree was seriously stressed by the lack of protection during demolition and construction. There is a lot of dead wood in the tree this spring, and bugs on the leaves.

	SEE JULIE'S FAVORITE TREE.. But beware: it's a sad story.

HONORARY TREE.. This Dawyck Purple Beech cultivar will not grow as tall or as wide as her parent, but she will honor the memory of my favorite tree as long as I am alive, and possibly longer. And Gregory will always know his mom's favorite tree. (April 2006)

See Julie's Journal of a Purple European Beech on East Chestnut Street For Julie's detailed comments on Purple European Beech trees in general, see the facts page. Read the latest Tree Grower's Diary blog entry