Since moving to Marblehead in 2008, I must have made the drive up Front Street toward Fort Sewall hundreds of times. Last night as I drove up, I felt like I had been punched in the gut – the tree at the edge of the Fort was broken.

There are lots of trees at Fort Sewall but I bet you knew immediately which one I was talking about. The great canopy of Marblehead’s Giving Tree was instantly recognizable from land and sea as one looked out toward Fort Sewall. It has formed the focal point of many of my images and was simply awe inspiring in size. I’m not sure when it was planted but it must easily be over 100 years old.

On Wednesday night, a microburst lit up the sky over Marblehead with torrential winds and countless lightning bolts. Nearly an inch and a half of rain fell in a matter of two hours. Large trees were uprooted throughout town and electricity was lost in various parts. But the tree at Fort Sewall, which always seems too big to fall, was utterly broken by the storm.

I’m glad for every opportunity I found over the years to photograph this once great tree and hope a replacement can be found to grow in its place and eventually reach an equal size and importance.  For now, here are some images of better days for Marblehead’s own Giving Tree.