A giant tree fell from a wind storm at Meltzer Woods in 2011. It measured 96 inches – 8 feet – in diameter.
Cliff Chapman, executive director of Central Indiana Land Trust, asked the owner of the property if he was saddened by the loss of the tree.
“No. Trees fall. That’s just nature,” Phil Meltzer told Chapman at the time.
“But Phil, that was the tallest tree in the state,” Chapman replied. “You had to have been really proud of owning the tallest tree in the state.”
“Oh, that’s OK,” Meltzer said that day. “We have the second-tallest tree in the state, too.”
“It’s just that kind of place,” Chapman told an audience gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning.
Meltzer knows every tree in the forest, Chapman said. Now, through a generous decision to sell the property at half price, the rest of the community can get to know it, too.
Meltzer Woods opened with Gov. Mike Pence in attendance. It’s been owned by the Meltzer family since 1857. Phil Meltzer decided to sell the property to the Central Indiana Land Trust so that it will forever be preserved, designated as a Registered National Landmark.
The Bicentennial Nature Trust, Indiana Heritage Trust, Herbert Simon Family Foundation and Blue River Community Foundation all contributed to the purchase of the land. It is east of Shelbyville off of State Road 244 on South 600 East.
It is the last old-growth forest in Indiana to receive protection.
Gov. Pence thanked the Meltzer family for preserving the forest for future generations.
“The Meltzer Woods will stand forever as a cherished resource for the people of Indiana, and we thank you and are honored with your presence today,” he said. “(It) will forever stand as a place where we can celebrate the extraordinarily rich, thousands of years of heritage of this incredible land. I have to believe it will always serve as a reminder to future generations of Hoosiers of the sacrifices it took to take this land and turn it into what would become the heartland of America.”
Chapman has been leading groups through the forest with Meltzer’s permission since 2008. During those tours, visitors have often asked how old a tree is.
He doesn’t know exactly, but it predates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
He said he doesn’t care how old the tree is – what matters is how old the forest is.
“The forest is thousands of years old,” he said. “When Jesus was born, this was a forest. When Rome was built, this was a forest.”
Cam Clark, director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, said it’s important for people to have a place like Meltzer Woods.
“Our lives are becoming increasingly busy,” he said. “We’ve got to find a balance. Places like this are where we find it. Coming to a place like this is good for the mind, body, soul, good for our health. It’s important.”
He credited the Meltzer family for preserving the forest, despite owning a saw mill. There were times they were tempted to cut into the forest, including after World War II when veneer prices were high, but never did.
“You recognized (the importance of preserving it), your family recognized that 150 years ago,” Clark said. “We’re all slowly, but surely catching up with you, learning to appreciate places like this.”