A SUGAR maple tree that has watched over a New Hampshire home for more than 200 years and was one of the largest of its kind in the United States is coming down because of safety concerns.

As a small crowd looked on Monday, arborist Micum Davis started trimming the crown of the tree in Kensington with the goal of taking it apart by the end of the day. Given the tree has a crown stretching 100 feet (30 meters) across, a diameter of more than 7 feet and stands 100 feet tall, the job required a crane to haul away branches as Davis cut them off with a chainsaw. A wood chipper howled in the background.

The tree has won plenty of accolades over the years. It has been recognized by the New Hampshire Big Tree Program and appears in the National Register of Champion Trees. It is considered the second-largest sugar maple after one in Virginia, according to Rose Tileson, the manager of American Forests’ National Champion Trees program.

Janet Buxton, whose family has owned property where the tree stands since 1954, proudly showed off a certificate she received touting its size.

“It's been the guardian of us. I don't know what to say. We grew up with it. It's been special to the whole family,” Buxton said, sitting at her kitchen table. “We're all sad to see it go but we have thoroughly enjoyed it for the 67 years we have been here.”

Davis estimated the tree was at least 240 years old.

(SD-Agencies)