Fairfield in Greater Bridgeport Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Remarkable Trees

Copper Beech

— (Fagus sylvatica) —

Remarkable Trees Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 2, 2022

1. Remarkable Trees Marker

Inscription.

Remarkable Trees. Copper Beech. , This majestic tree, not a native of North America, likely started growing somewhere in Europe around the time of the American Civil War. It may have been brought here as a seedling by a well-to-do landowner and planted with other Copper Beech seedlings, some on the Burr Homestead grounds and others along the Old Post Road. Now the oldest tree on these grounds, this Copper Beech, along with its stately companion on the opposite side of the mansion, is a living symbol of strength and stability through many decades of changes affecting the historic Burr Homestead. , The impressive size of this Copper Beech includes its 16-foot trunk circumference, its 90-foot height, and the 94-foot expanse of its branches, known as the canopy width. Approximately 50% of the root system falls within the canopy width. , Despite its muscular appearance, the Copper Beach, like all trees in the urban forest, is susceptible to a number of threats, including disease, storms, poor planning, and improper care. This tree's survival was threatened when visitors parked under its branches, compacting the soil and damaging its sensitive root structure. Trees require active management and care to sustain their health and value. , Copper Beeches are depicted in numerous works of art and poetry. It was perhaps upon viewing the mighty trunk of this stalwart tree in 1939 that local author Charlotte A. Lacey wrote of trees as the "Patriarchs of Fairfield" and described the Copper Beech as "Hercules of the forests." , ( photo captions ) , , This tree usually flowers in April. , , Copper Beech bark is thin and sensitive to sunlight. , , The roots can extend outward for a distance of three times the height of the tree. Eighty five percent of the root system is within the top 18 inches of soil. , , This project by the Fairfield Forestry Committee was made possible by an America the Beautiful Urban Forestry Grant provided by Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Division of Forestry. Funding for the grant is through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Research and writing by Geoff Steadman; panel design by Keith Placko. , Images by G. Steadman and K. Placko. , www.fairfieldct.org/forestry bn http://www.facebook.com/FairfieldForestryCommittee , June 2016

This majestic tree—not a native of North America—likely started growing somewhere in Europe around the time of the American Civil War. It may have been brought here as a seedling by a well-to-do landowner and planted with other Copper Beech seedlings—some on the Burr Homestead grounds and others along the Old Post Road. Now the oldest tree on these grounds, this Copper Beech, along with its stately companion on the opposite side of the mansion, is a living symbol of strength and stability through many decades of changes affecting the historic Burr Homestead.

The impressive size of this Copper Beech includes its 16-foot trunk circumference, its 90-foot height, and the 94-foot expanse of its branches, known as the canopy width. Approximately 50% of the root system falls within the canopy width.

Despite its muscular appearance, the Copper Beach, like all trees in the urban forest, is susceptible to a number of threats, including disease, storms, poor planning, and improper care. This tree's survival was threatened when visitors parked under its branches, compacting the soil and damaging its sensitive root structure. Trees require active management and care to sustain their health and value.

Copper Beeches are depicted in numerous works of art and poetry. It was perhaps upon viewing the mighty trunk of this

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stalwart tree in 1939 that local author Charlotte A. Lacey wrote of trees as the "Patriarchs of Fairfield" and described the Copper Beech as "Hercules of the forests."

( photo captions )
— This tree usually flowers in April.
— Copper Beech bark is thin and sensitive to sunlight.
— The roots can extend outward for a distance of three times the height of the tree. Eighty five percent of the root system is within the top 18 inches of soil.

This project by the Fairfield Forestry Committee was made possible by an America the Beautiful Urban Forestry Grant provided by Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Division of Forestry. Funding for the grant is through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Research and writing by Geoff Steadman; panel design by Keith Placko.
Images by G. Steadman and K. Placko.
www.fairfieldct.org/forestry bn http://www.facebook.com/FairfieldForestryCommittee
June 2016

Erected 2016 by Fairfield Museum and History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical month for this entry is June 2016.

Location. 41° 8.46′ N, 73° 15.028′ W. Marker is in Fairfield in Greater Bridgeport Region, Connecticut. It can be

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 2, 2022

2. Remarkable Trees Marker

reached from the intersection of Old Post Road and Beach Road, on the right when traveling north. Located at the Fairfield Museum & History Center and Government Commons. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairfield CT 06824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline,

on the Gold Coast,

and in Greater Bridgeport.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Fairfield County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Freedomfight in Hungary (a few steps from this marker); John J. Sullivan (within shouting distance of this marker); 9/11 Memorial Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward’s Pond (within shouting distance of this marker); Burr Arboretum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Worker’s Cottage (about 300 feet away); A House That Witnessed History (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.

Also see . . . Fairfield Museum & History Center. (Submitted on August 14, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.