Standing like ancient, tortured sentries in the yard of Chatham Manor in Fredericksburg, Virginia, are two venerable Southern Catalpa trees (Catalpa bignonioides). Their gnarled branches and twisted, misshapen trunks appear to be manifestations of the horrors of war they witnessed in 1862, during the aftermath of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Believed to be over 180-years-old, the Catalpas are dying. One tree remains upright only with the assistance of a massive metal brace installed by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS). Their historic significance prevents their removal, but time will eventually…
