He kept the elm alive for 50 years, the two of them slowly growing older side by side. But next month, the caretaker, now 101 years old, and the tree, estimated to be 235, will finally part ways. After a valiant, decades-long battle with Dutch elm disease, the beloved elm, known affectionately as “Herbie,’’ is set to be cut down Jan. 18.

Surely sad, but his efforts have kept the memories of Elm-lined New England streets rooted in reality for generations that never saw it. I sure wish I had played in sun dappled streets under a cool canopy of Elm leaves when I was growing up.

[Via Edward Shepard]