Newport replacing ‘Liberty Tree’

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The City of Newport said it is replacing the Liberty Tree at William Ellery Park ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

On Tuesday, crews began to remove the 149-year-old Liberty Tree, which the city said has “been in a consistent state of decline over the last few years.”

The new Liberty Tree will be planted during the Arbor Day celebration in the spring, and will be the fifth tree to stand at the intersection of Farewell and Thames streets since 1776.

The City of Newport has partnered with the Rhode Island 250th committee and the Newport Tree Conservancy to plant the new tree.