Over the years, the iconic Message Tree at the Woodstock festival site held special significance for attendees. It became a way for festival-goers to connect before the era of smartphones and instant communication. Many festival participants left scraps of paper and cardboard on its trunk, sharing messages and plans with others. One notable note read, “SUSAN, MEET YOU HERE SATURDAY 11 A.M., 3 P.M., or 7 P.M.,” while another was a heartfelt invite from Candi Cohen to meet the girls back at the hotel. Dan even left a message for Cindy, mentioning he was too shy to ask for her address but provided his phone number instead.
Unfortunately, after 55 years of standing as a testament to camaraderie and connection during the famous festival, the Message Tree was cut down on a rainy Wednesday. The decision was made due to concerns surrounding its deteriorating health and safety risks. The tree, over a century old and located near the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, posed a danger of collapsing, prompting the owners to take action. While they were saddened to lose such a beloved symbol of the Woodstock community, they are now committed to honoring the tree’s legacy.
“It feels like saying goodbye to a cherished friend,” remarked Neal Hitch, senior curator at The Museum At Bethel Woods. He noted that the tree was a constant presence in many photographs from the festival, often seen in the bottom corner as festival-goers snapped pictures of the stage from the hillside.
Woodstock is remembered not only for legendary performances by artists like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin but also for the spirit of unity among over 400,000 attendees who gathered on Max Yasgur’s farm amidst a backdrop of rain and mud. The Message Tree played an important role in helping people reconnect in an environment where communication was limited.
Although the tree is gone, its spirit will endure. The on-site museum has preserved some of the messages that once adorned the tree, and visitors can find remnants of nails and pins that were once used to attach mementos. Bethel Woods is actively seeking proposals to create art using wood salvaged from the tree, with plans to showcase these artworks next year in the museum. Additionally, several saplings, grown from grafts of the Message Tree, are being nurtured and might eventually be planted at the site, symbolizing continuity and regeneration.
Hitch emphasizes the importance of this memorialization: “Planting a tree that symbolizes the Message Tree for future generations embodies hope and connection.” While the physical tree is no longer there, the legacy of unity, love, and communication it represented will continue to inspire and connect future generations of festival-goers.
