Shepherdstown's
West German St. Elm
Turnings From A Local Landmark Tree
Representative Gallery
About the West German Street Elm
There was nothing particularly historic, or significant really, about this Chinese Elm Tree that grew on the south side of W. German Street (Route45), just ahead of the old Sheetz store as one travels west towards Martinsburg. What made the tree special to me were the amazing burls that covered its surface, both on the main stem and up on the upper branches as well. During the fifteen years or so that I've been a wood turner - and thus likely to notice and appreciate such things - I bet there weren't but a handful of times, especially if the 4-Way Stop was backed up a little, that I didn't gaze lovingly at this tree. I've always said that I hope great trees live forever, but since they don't, I hope I'm able to be around when they fall. In this case, I had tried to make arrangements (knowing it was slated for removal) but the tree just up and disappeared one day when I wasn't looking. Thankfully, I was able to track down at least some of the wood for turning, and, as I expected, the results have been wotrth the effort..