So Long, Old Friend
Smith Quarterly
Smithies share memories of a campus landmark
Published April 2, 2024
Sad, yet necessary, is how Smith’s arboriculture team described the decision to remove the 100-year-old sugar maple above Paradise Pond known to generations as the “Swing Tree.” After monitoring the beloved tree’s ailing health for years, arborists decided it was finally time to say goodbye. John Berryhill, interim director of the Botanic Garden of Smith College, says his team aims to ensure that future Smithies “have access to the simple joys that this tree and swing have given us.” To that end, the swing will be moved to another campus tree this spring, and two new trees will be planted in the iconic sugar maple’s place, in hopes of one day “bringing the swing back home.” At right, Smithies share what they’ve loved most about the tree.