More Than 20 Years of Care for a Vermont Landmark
For more than two decades, Whitney Tree Service had the privilege of caring for the historic cottonwood at Knoll Farm in Fayston, Vermont. The cottonwood was a prominent feature of the Knoll Farm landscape and a familiar landmark to generations of visitors.
Planted around 1910, the enormous cottonwood was once recognized as the largest tree of its species in Vermont. A 2007 article in The Valley Reporter documented the tree at more than 123 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of 87 inches and a crown spread of approximately 90 feet.
Our relationship with the tree began around 2004 when Anne Day, a longtime naturalist and former owner of Knoll Farm, hired Adam Whitney to help preserve and care for it. Over the years, Whitney Tree Service returned to prune and maintain the cottonwood, helping extend the life of this remarkable tree.
A Personal Connection to Knoll Farm
Knoll Farm also holds a special place in the lives of Whitney Tree Service owners Adam Whitney and Marilyn Ruseckas. Anne Day was not only a longtime client but also the justice of the peace who married Adam and Marilyn at Knoll Farm.
Our connection to the property, its people, and its remarkable cottonwood made caring for the tree especially meaningful over the years.
Assessing the Tree’s Structural Condition
As the cottonwood aged, significant concerns developed regarding its structural stability. During an aerial inspection, Adam Whitney, an ISA Certified Arborist with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), identified extensive internal decay approximately 16 feet above the ground. Using a six-foot probe, Adam was able to investigate a large internal cavity both vertically and across the trunk without encountering solid wood.
The findings raised serious concerns about the tree’s structural stability, particularly given its enormous size and proximity to the farm’s buildings and areas regularly occupied by visitors. After more than two decades of efforts to preserve the cottonwood, the decision was made to remove it to protect the surrounding buildings and the people who frequent the property.
A Complex Removal Requiring Specialized Equipment
In November 2025, Whitney Tree Service returned to Knoll Farm to carry out the removal of the historic cottonwood. The tree’s enormous size, extensive internal decay, and location near the farm’s buildings required careful planning and a controlled removal process. Our experienced crew utilized a combination of specialized equipment, including our crane, grapple saw, and bucket truck, to carefully dismantle the tree in sections. The coordinated use of this equipment allowed our crew to manage the removal of the massive tree while protecting the surrounding buildings and property.
As the removal progressed, the full extent of the internal deterioration became visible. Large cavities within the massive trunk revealed the substantial decay that had raised concerns during the earlier inspection.
The Final Chapter of a Remarkable Tree
The removal of the Knoll Farm cottonwood marked the end of a significant chapter in the history of the farm and in Whitney Tree Service’s longstanding relationship with the tree. From the early years of caring for and preserving the cottonwood to its final removal in November 2025, our company was honored to play a role in managing one of the Mad River Valley’s most recognizable trees.
The project reflects the importance of thoughtful tree care, professional risk assessment, and recognizing when a tree can no longer be safely preserved. For Whitney Tree Service, it was a meaningful opportunity to combine decades of arboricultural experience with the specialized equipment and expertise required to complete a challenging removal.
Below are a couple historical pics and ones of our crew pruning the tree in 2004, 2007, and 2021.
