Salt Lake Telegram | 1939-09-09 | Page 16 | Progress of Civilization Causes Fall of Landmark

T Just Another Victim of Changing Times CITY'S OLDEST LOMBARDY POPLAR FALLS BEFORE MARCH OF PROGRESS Fight by Tree Lovers Fails to Save 76-Year-Old East Bench Landmark - 1 - y - v . . i - Progressoi Civilization Causes Fall of Landmark A regal old Lnmbardy poplar tree that has watched Salt Lake City grow to its present greatness, fell before the ravages of prog- ress Saturday. The old landmark, believed to be the first lnmbardy poplar ever planted In Utah, has stood a 1152 Michigan avenue since it was planted there by William Wag-staff, Wag-staff, early pioneer, who purchased the property from Bngham Young. The city shade tree commission and tree lovers were saddened by the fall of the old landmark. Kufus D. Johnson, tree warden, said a fight to preserve the tree had been waned for more than a year. "We are doing this wilh the greatest reluctance," Mr. Johnson said. "The free is one of the oldest old-est on the city's east bench. However, How-ever, Its roots are Interfering with sewage sanitation problems, so its removal is necessary. "The shade tree department, with Dr. David Andrew as chairman, chair-man, and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers have made every effort to obtain funds to save this tree, but we have been unable to do so," he said.