Identification & Site Information:

• Name: 500-Year-Old Elm Tree

• Location: Near Morrisburg, Ontario

• Notable Event: Cut down during the St. Lawrence Seaway expansion (1950s).

The story of the ancient elm near Morrisburg is deeply tied to the environmental and cultural upheaval of the St. Lawrence Seaway project. The elm tree, estimated to have stood for over 500 years, symbolized natural resilience and historical continuity in the region. Its location was adjacent to the St. Lawrence River, making it a landmark that bore witness to centuries of human activity, including Indigenous settlement and European colonization.

The St. Lawrence Seaway, completed in 1959, was a massive binational engineering project between Canada and the United States. Its purpose was to facilitate large-scale shipping by linking the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. This required reshaping vast sections of the riverbank, leading to the flooding of lands and the displacement of over 6,500 people. Entire communities—known as the Lost Villages—were submerged, and landmarks like the elm tree were destroyed.

Cultural Significance

The elm tree’s removal was emblematic of the sacrifices made during the project. It highlighted the tension between industrial progress and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. Today, the story of the tree survives through local histories, oral traditions, and institutions like the Lost Villages Historical Society. The Society’s museum, located in Ault Park, preserves artifacts and narratives from the period, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives and landscapes lost to the Seaway expansion.

Legacy and Reflection

The destruction of the elm tree has become a poignant example in discussions of environmental and cultural loss during large infrastructure projects. It underscores the importance of considering the broader impact of development on historical and natural resources.

For further exploration, the Lost Villages Museum in Long Sault, Ontario, provides detailed accounts of the Seaway’s history, including maps, personal stories, and artifacts from the displaced communities.

Keywords for Further Research:

• St. Lawrence Seaway

• Lost Villages

• Environmental heritage in Ontario

• Morrisburg historical landmarks

Lakeview Park

This event remains a critical chapter in the dialogue on balancing development with the preservation of irreplaceable treasures like the elm tree.

Photo Source – Facebook Historic Cornwall Allen Benton Post