July 12, 2005

Mabel Wyman's 60-foot withered memorial oak tree greets the visitors of Dinuba's Community Center in Roosevelt Park on Elizabeth Way. Its gnarly, skinny and withered brown branches stretch more than 70 feet.

Having stood for an estimated 100 years, the tree has watched the city of Dinuba grow into a flourishing community. In 1972, the tree was dedicated in the memory of Wyman, who had died the year before at 88.

But the tree itself is ill. The scant leaves are quickly turning from bright green to a dull tan hue. Other leafless branches swoop down like those of a weeping willow.

After unsuccessful efforts to preserve the tree, the Dinuba City Council may decide tonight to cut it down.

"The only people who would be really upset about the desecration of the landmark tree are currently hosting the Dinuba Garden Club meetings in the cemetery," said Bob Raison, 76, editor of the Dinuba Sentinel. "They're all dead."

Raison adds that few people alive today know Mabel Wyman or her legacy to the community of Dinuba.

"But many of them have had parents and grandparents who were acquaintances to Wyman," he said.

Wyman was born in 1882 and raised in Dinuba, according to an obituary found in a December 1973 edition of the Dinuba Sentinel.

She was a founding member of the Order of Eastern Star, Dinuba chapter, the founder of the Dinuba Garden Club and an organist for the Dinuba's United Presbyterian Church.

Avalyn Halls, 96, remembers Wyman. She has been a member of Dinuba's United Presbyterian Church for 80 years.

When Halls joined the church in 1921, Wyman was already an active member. Wyman helped serve two luncheons every week at the church to members of the local Lions and Rotary clubs to help pay off the church's mortgage.

"Mabel was just an all-around good person who was available whenever you needed her," she said. "She was one of the ladies of the church."

Wyman was the founder of the ongoing Dinuba Garden Club, which plants trees in the names of senior citizens and conducts an annual beautiful yard contest for Dinuba.

"She wanted to bring women together and do some good for the community," said current president Donna Peterson, 73.

The Dinuba Garden Club dedicated the Mabel Wyman tree in 1972 and put a plaque at the foot of the tree.

Kristina Kaunzinger recalls the state of Wyman's tree when she started working as director for Parks and Community services for Dinuba five years ago.

"It was the most beautiful tree that I have ever seen," she said. "It was full and gorgeous and completely bright green."

A few years ago, the tree sheltered a children's playground.

Last October, Kaunzinger noticed the tree looked distressed and wasn't growing leaves properly.

"It was just like how you can tell if your kids are sick," she said.

Parks supervisor Greg Sano brought certified arborist Glen Foth from Kerman to look at the tree. Foth, who said he is not sure exactly how old the tree is but said it is at least 100 years old, recommended an insecticide to deal with an infestation.

See Tree/3C

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