Updated
Is the Oldest Tree in Manhattan Faring Well?
Washington Square Park’s English Elm Designated With New Plaque
On April 23rd, Manhattan Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura and Washington Square Park Administrator Will Morrison placed a new plaque on Washington Square Park’s English Elm, otherwise known as the “Hangman’s Elm,” in the park’s NorthWest corner, designating it one of NYC’s “Great Trees.” Previously, there had been a well worn plaque there from 1989 as part of something called the “Great Tree Search.”
The “Hangman’s Elm” is approximately 346 years old, the oldest tree in Manhattan!
2012:
There was concern in 2012 that the Elm was in jeopardy, possibly due to inadequate protection during the park’s redesign construction. It was brought to the attention of the Community Board and people were very concerned.
On the history of the tree from WSP Blog in 2012:
An English Elm is the species of the tree which resides in the NorthWest Quadrant of Washington Square Park, the tree that is largely (and ironically, somewhat fondly) referred to as the “Hangman’s Elm.” Although there are no records of an actual hanging from the tree, at some point, it was given this name and it stuck. Perhaps because it looks so old, so majestic, and so strong, you can certainly imagine a hanging occurring from the tree in the 1800s, a century the tree lived through. In 1989, the Parks Department determined the age of the tree to be 310 years old, making it now 333. It is the oldest known living tree in Manhattan.
Looking at the English Elm in June 2012 vs. May 2025 — although one month apart so, yes, in June the tree’s leaves will flourish more — it does look a bit like a shell of its former self. But let’s check again in June.
Photos: Cathryn
Previously at Washington Square Park Blog:
(Photos) Squirrel Taking a Break on Washington Square’s “Hangmen’s” English Elm, Oldest Living Tree in Manhattan, More October 24, 2012