Follow a trail around the old “Bells” horse stables, left or right, either reach the tree. It welcomes you. Its branches drape to the ground and keep growing. It has open arms. The summer after the demolition of the Bells horse stables, a landmark since 1837,  I was fragile. It felt like they had somehow carried off a mountain. I’m 21 years old and the hornbeam is almost 150 years old. 

This project is born of slow gathering. I have photographed Brenton Point Park for the past five years. I made a summer-long ritual of collecting stories on index cards from strangers who shared their memories of the tree, the park, and thoughts about tree carving. I spent the winter rereading the 263 notes and making sense of the multitude of experiences they hold. I wove together photographs, my own narrative, and selected stories from strangers into a book. I wanted to create something tangible to hold this collection of stories and love for the Hornbeam.

Edition of 3 hand bound books, laser printed reproductions of Van Dyke Brown prints, index cards, and typewritten text, 2025.