Famous 240 Year Old Maine Elm Tree to be Downed January 18th

The Herbie Project of Yarmouth, Maine is calling for and soliciting proposals from all artists, artisans, crafts persons, sculptors and other individuals or groups with creative talents to produce artistic and crafts pieces of the Town’s 240 year old Elm tree, Herbie, located at East Main and Yankee Drive.

On January 18, 2010 the largest Elm tree in New England will sadly be taken down from its present location, having finally succumbed to the fatal Dutch elm disease. For the last forty years, primarily through the skillful efforts of the town’s tree warden, Frank Knight, this terrible disease was kept at bay and Herbie was able to survive to this date. Unfortunately, his age and current condition is too debilitating to prevent the return of this fatal disease. In an effort to foster and preserve this wonderfully proud and historic tree for future generations and to initiate the Yarmouth Tree Trust, the Herbie Project is making pieces, segments and anticipated green and dried lumber from Herbie available to artists and crafts persons to construct works of art and craft of the wood anticipated to be available following his removal. These works of art and craft shall be included in a show or shows exhibiting the works and making the products and works of art available for purchase by the general public. The Herbie Project is currently attempting to locate appropriate venues for this art and craft exhibition, with the intent to have at least one such exhibition within the Town of Yarmouth in the Fall, 2010. Any artist or craftsperson that creates designs or constructs a project or work from the elm of Herbie, will be shown and exhibited in at least one such exhibition. The Herbie Project is considering other potential exhibitions with and through the auspices of other Maine state craft and artistic associations and groups.

PHOTO: New England’s 240 Year Old and Largest Elm Tree in New England to Hold a Meeting with an Ax Due to Dutch Elm Disease. Photo Credit: picasaweb.google.com

Available material will include green limbs of varying thickness and length, green lumber or green tree segments for turning or other sculpture projects. In addition, it is anticipated that a portion of Herbie will be sawn to lumber of varying lengths and thicknesses, some portion of which will be kiln dried and available as hardwood for furniture, craft and other building projects.

Wood and timber will be made available to all artists, artisans, craftsperson’s, sculptors, or others intent upon making or building an individually designed and constructed project and based upon the submission of proposals, to be reviewed and chosen by the Herbie Project Committee, currently in charge of this project. Artists, artisans, crafts persons, sculptors or others interested in obtaining wood from this famous Elm tree should prepare a proposal on the attached form, indicating the scope of the proposed project or artwork, the required type of material being requested and the approximate volume of material necessary to complete the project. This submission form should be sent to the Herbie Project, c/o Yarmouth Community Services, 200 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096 or faxed to (207) 846-2421 on or before January 30, 2010, to be considered for acceptance in this phase of the Herbie Project. Interested parties may find additional information by accessing the Town of Yarmouth website at www.yarmouth.me.us, then click on “The Herbie Project”. Telephone inquiries and questions may be directed to Yarmouth Community Services at (207) 846-2406.

At present, The Herbie Project is considering two methods of making material from this historic tree available to artist, artisans and crafts persons:

(1) The first method of acquisition is by direct purchase, following the tree’s harvesting in January 2010. Purchase prices of wood, green (with existing moisture content) and kiln dried lumber will be developed and a price list made available in late January, 2010. Individuals who make direct purchase are encouraged to use the material they purchase in a work of art or craft to be exhibited and available for sale in the public exhibition referenced above.

(2) A second method of acquisition of material is by consignment agreement with the Herbie Project. The project will provide the requested material, to the extent available for an art or craft project, to the artist or craftsman without charge, but with the requirement of consignment to the Herbie Project of a 40 percent of the sale price of the work of art or craft. Consignment agreement to be executed by the artist or craftsperson are available to those interested in such method of acquisition, and requires a 40% return of the retail sales price of the work or project to the Herbie Project. Those who upon completion of their project decide not to make their work available for sale, shall be responsible to the Herbie Project for reimbursement of materials, based on the quantity obtained and prices set by the Herbie Project.

The Herbie Project will provide notice of dates when material becomes available on the Town of Yarmouth website www.yarmouth.me.us then click on the “The Herbie Project”. Those desiring to acquire materials shall be required to pick up the material from the designated location provided and on the dates set for such pickups. Green wood will be available first, followed by the kiln dried material when released from the kiln. It is currently anticipated that the materials will be stored and located in New Glouscester, ME. Specific dates and terms of availability will also be located on the website above, so check periodically for further information.

Because contamination from a diseased Elm tree can be reintroduced into the environment and contaminate other live Elm trees, the artist or craftsperson shall be required to remove all bark from those tree components in their proposed project or work of art. All such bark needs to be incinerated following its removal.

This is a singular and rare opportunity to participate in the conservation of an historic and valuable tree here in Maine and to assist the Herbie Project in developing the Yarmouth Tree Trust. Your participation and submissions are greatly appreciated and will be given the utmost consideration, in anticipation of making the Herbie Project a truly “renewable” event for one of New England’s most significant and famous trees.

HERBIE PROJECT ADVISORY

Elimination of Bark from Project: Because the bark of an elm tree is the area most subject to the Dutch Elm Disease and improper handling and/or disposal of the bark could result in reintroduction of contaminated material in the environment, it is important to remove and eliminate all bark of the tree remnants from portions of the tree limbs and lumber you may receive. Incinerate all remains of this bark to insure that other trees are not contaminated with the disease. DO NOT attempt to eliminate the disease by placing portions of the tree materials in a microwave oven. To do so could cause rapid heating of moisture within the wood and cause the material to explode causing potential damage to person(s) or property. Simply use cutting tools or other methods of bark removal which are safe.

Checking or cracking of wood: Because moisture remains in green wood, it is anticipated that “cookies” or other objects made of green Elm will crack, and at times significantly. This is the natural process of the wood drying and is not a defect. To reduce the potential for cracking, keep the wood in an area of the house which is most moist or has the most humidity.

Click here to download a Herbie Project Artist/Craftsperson Consignment Agreement

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