SAUGUS — The iconic copper beech tree on the lawn of the Saugus Iron Works was cut down Thursday afternoon, leaving a large hole where it once stood.
The National Historic Site announced the removal on Facebook Wednesday, giving residents a chance to say goodbye to the tree.
The site said that after years of trying to preserve the copper beech, it had to be removed due to “extensive damage and disease.”
The tree is one of many beech trees hit by beech leaf disease. According to the Ohio Cuyahoga County research site, 30% of 263 tracked American beech trees have died of the disease since 2014, with “severe losses” occurring in recent years…