Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Tree Goods of Bristol has donated a massive slice from a 130-year-old American elm tree that will hang in the lobby of Elm Place, an affordable 
senior living community in Milton that will open for occupancy in March. The slice comes from a storied tree in Richmond that succumbed to disease and was removed by the town in 2014. Town officials saved a 10-foot piece of the 50-inch-diameter trunk and invited proposals for using it to create something memorable for the town. VTG, with its unique saw built to mill oversized trees, was the successful bidder and created two conference tables for the Richmond town hall. It has used the remainder of the trunk to create other pieces of furniture -- and now the thick slice it has donated for Elm Place, the newest affordable living community for seniors developed by the nonprofit Cathedral Square Corporation of South Burlington.
“We are very grateful for Vermont Tree Goods’ wonderful contribution to this project,” said Katie Forleo, Cathedral Square project manager. “Elm Place is so fortunate to have a piece of Vermont history that will welcome residents home each day as they pass through the lobby.”
With 30 one-bedroom apartments for seniors, Elm Place is Vermont’s first multifamily home built to passive-house standards -- standards for comfort and energy efficiency that far exceed those required by building codes. The residence features fully accessible kitchens and bathrooms and, like all Cathedral Square properties, 24-hour maintenance and free access to SASH (Support and Services at Home), an award-winning wellness and care-coordination program for seniors created by Cathedral Square and available statewide.
Vermont Tree Goods builds distinctive furniture and wood products from recycled Vermont heirloom hardwoods, featuring the “live-edge” lines of the trees from which they come. Its mission includes strengthening the local economy, protecting forests and reducing Vermonters' carbon footprint.
Cathedral Square Corporation, a nonprofit organization founded in Burlington in 1977, is Vermont's leader in the development of affordable, service-enriched housing communities for seniors and individuals with special needs. CSC owns and/or manages 30 senior housing communities in Vermont and administers the SASH program statewide as part of Vermont's Blueprint for Health.
Photo: Pictured L-R: Vermont Tree Goods founder John Monks and woodworkers Natt Harkins and Ben Deleiris load the American elm slice into a car for its journey to Milton, where it will hang in the lobby of Elm Place, an affordable housing community for seniors developed by Cathedral Square of South Burlington.