The iconic Message Tree from the 1969 Woodstock festival, where concert-goers left notes for one another in a pre-cellphone era, was recently cut down due to poor health and safety concerns. Situated at the renowned concert site in Bethel, New York, the over 100-year-old red maple tree had become a symbol of the community that blossomed during the historic music event.
Despite reluctance from the owners of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts to part ways with the tree, which was at risk of falling, the decision was made to ensure public safety. Neal Hitch, senior curator at The Museum At Bethel Woods, expressed feelings of nostalgia and sadness at the loss, describing it as akin to witnessing the passing of a loved one.
The Message Tree stood as a reminder of the monumental Woodstock festival, where more than 400,000 people gathered at Max Yasgur’s dairy farm over a rainy and chaotic weekend. Hitch highlighted the tree’s significance, stating that it appeared in numerous photos taken from the top of the hill, serving as a timeless fixture of the event.
While the physical tree is no longer standing, its legacy remains intact. Plans are underway to honor the tree by creating works of art using its salvageable wood, to be displayed at the museum next year. Additionally, saplings from the original tree are being cultivated, with intentions to hold a regenerative planting ceremony at Bethel Woods. Hitch emphasized the symbolism of planting a new Message Tree for future generations.
Although the loss of the Message Tree marks the end of an era, its spirit will continue to live on through artistic tributes and the growth of new trees that carry its legacy into the future. The Bethel Woods community remains committed to preserving the memory of Woodstock and the connections forged under the watchful branches of the beloved red maple tree.
