Completion

Once the tree was gone and the stump ground, we leveled the area with sand and gravel.

We then moved the headstone back into position, leveled it, and reassembled

the side rails and foot stone completing this bedstead.

Pine needles were placed around the bedstead until the landscaping phase of the project.

Stump Removal

With the tree removal completed, it was time to turn our attention to the stump.

A grinder that Mr. Scott had recommended was hired to do the job and was there bright and early the next day.

Stump grinding and cleanup was completed rather quickly.







The stump was ground as low as we felt comfortable going and the rest would have to be removed by hand.


The large roots, one just under the yellow caution tape and the one in the lower right hand corner of the photo, are the ones that did the damage to the bedstead.


While the cemetery crew worked on removing the rest of the stump, I repaired the side rail, removed the cement, and got everything ready to be reassembled.

Removing The Tree

I'm not sure how tall this tree was but I would have to say it was at least 100 ft. if not more.

To remove it would be a daunting task for anyone considering the gravestones that HAD to be protected, the location near the Greensboro Historical Museum and the YWCA building next door.

In steps Scott Tree Service of Greensboro, N.C.






Mr. Scott and his crew did an excellent job.

The cemetery crew built barriers to protect the stones out of plywood, even enclosing some of them in boxes built of plywood and 2x4's.

Mr Scott and his crew also did their part by tying off and roping the limbs down to prevent any damage.








I was a little apprehensive once the limbs were removed, but to see that guy that high up in the air cut a piece of tree trunk and drop it pretty much exactly where he wanted it, was truly amazing.

The tree was removed, the limbs and trunk hauled off, and we were left with one huge stump.

Weir Bedstead

This photo shows the bedstead of Dr. David P. Weir, (1811-1/30/1865),
after dismantling to facilitate the removal of the large tree to the left in the photo.

The tree roots had grown into the grave and under the side rails, breaking one. They also had the headstone sitting at an awkward angle.

A decision to remove the tree was made to prevent further damage after preservation.




This picture shows the side rails and foot stone from the bedstead.

You can see the large portions of cement the rails were put in.

This is from an earlier effort to stabilize the bedstead. The cement will be removed before the bedstead is reassembled.












This is a close-up showing some of the cement.