Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
What was once the talk of the neighborhood has developed into a looming menace.
Dwarfing the former hunting and fishing lodge that serves as Larry and Linda Smith's house is what is known in the neighborhood as one of the largest cottonwood trees in the country.
At least 150-years-old, the old landmark is dying. When a 4-foot-in-diameter limb came crashing down on the side of the house last year causing major damage, the couple decided the old tree needed serious trimming.
"I hate it that we have to take it down, but when that limb fell last year, taking out the air conditioning unit, well, that was just a branch," Linda said. "We knew right then and there it had to be cut back."
The tree dominates the landscape on the east side of Big Barbee Lake. The Smiths guess it is 120 feet tall.
"People will stop by and say their grandfather said officials from the Word's Fair wanted it for display," Larry said. "They say it is the biggest cottonwood in the country. That's just what they say. That's just rumor."
The Smiths, who operate Bowling Promotions Inc., based in Wabash, have lived at Big Barbee for 15 years.
Other cottonwoods are a few feet to the south of their behemoth and they're almost as large.
"I'm afraid of every storm," said Linda, who fears the next high wind will bring another gigantic limb down on the house.
Larry would like to keep the main trunk and have a chainsaw artist carve an image of a grizzly bear.
The house has a history of its own, once serving as a hunting and fishing lodge. When the Smiths had a hole cut for an air conditioning unit, they found signatures and dates on the original exterior wall. One date is July 11, 1911, another faded date might be July 1890.
"We heard it was a religious retreat at one time and a women's shelter," Linda said.
The Smiths have received estimates from tree companies. One company has proposed using a crane to help with the work so branches can be wrapped in chains, cut and lowered to the ground. That's a procedure Larry favors.
"Once it's down anyone who wants the wood can have it," Larry said.
Cottonwoods are found along the banks of lakes and rivers. The wood is very porous and soft, making it a favorite of wood carvers. It does not burn well, though, and as firewood has one of the lowest BTUs per cord of wood.
For more information about the wood call the Smiths at 574-594-5510.
