Giving tree that gave its all celebrates in style

For more than 120 years, a majestic maple has stood tall and proud near the corner of Borden Avenue and Marne Street, but time has taken its toll.

“This tree, with several others along Borden Avenue from Harford Avenue to Ostend Street, was planted in 1895 by Charles H. Coffin and his brother James,” said Bob Casey, who owns the tree along with his wife, Sharron. “When we first moved to Johnston in 1952, all the trees were healthy and at their peak. Over time, all have fallen to disease and age, and the last is the one in front of our home.”

Now 70 years old, Casey learned of the tree’s history from its planter, as the Coffin’s lived 5 houses away from him. He was the Coffin’s paperboy, and delivered the Providence Journal Evening Bulletin to their home as a kid. The area, according to Bob, was once part of the Hartford Avenue Gardens farm, and has seen many changes over the years.

As the neighborhood became residential, the Coffin brothers planted maples every 100 feet down the street in an effort to beautify. During the last several decades, the trees were slowly taken down.

“This tree succumbed to disease and I had to take it down limb by limb. But for 60 years my brother, cousins and friends climbed this massive maple and even build a treehouse in it,” Casey said. “At Christmas every year, our parents would allow us to decorate the lower limbs.”

Casey did everything he could to try to save the tree, calling in arborists and treating as needed, even cutting the limbs himself, but this year was the tree’s last.

“I took down everything but the main 25 foot trunk, and decided to pay homage to this once handsome gift from nature and decorate it for the last time before I take the trunk down,” he said. “It broke my heart to take it down, it was like a piece of me disappearing.”

And decorate he did. Traveling off of Hartford Avenue towards Killingly Street, what’s left of the maple can easily be seen in both night and day, decorated as a giant peppermint stick.

“I wrapped it in red and white duct tape, 600 yards, with 1,500 lights, so it appears to be a giant candy cane,” Casey said. “The response has been quite surprising.” People have stopped to take pictures and others when driving by have given Casey thumbs up sign. Neighbors came by to tell us the Caseys were having a sad day when they saw the festive decorated tree, and for a few moments, they felt better.

A contractor, Casey capped the top of the trunk with a reclaimed satellite dish, which he strung with lights. Climbing a ladder, he completely wrap the trunk in tape. When lit, the giant candy cane looks like a Christmas tree.

“This is a throwback to my youth. This tree gave so many people so much joy that I said I had to do something,” said Bob, who added that the project took about two weeks and cost around $150. “It was a labor of love for me, and if it cost $1,500 it would have been worth it.” 

“If he could make somebody smile during the holiday season, he would,” said Sharron Casey. “I’m very proud of what he’s created.”

Bob and Sharron recently visited Central Nurseries tree farm in Gloucester, and picked out a 35-foot Londonplane to replace the maple. They chose this species as it may be hardier and able to survive being planted near road salt and other contaminants from the nearby busy street.

“It is our hope it will stand for the next 100 years and give joy to all who view it,” Bob said.

While this chapter of their Christmas story comes to a close, the Caseys hold great optimism for the Christmases yet to come.

“Nature is God’s gift to us, trees are part of nature and they do so much to enhance our lives. They just give you majestic beauty and that’s what life is about, the simple things that nature affords us,” Bob said. “If we can pay homage to trees, birds, people, one another and bring a little joy in one’s life, however you may do it, that’s what I want to do and that’s my Christmas message.”