Fonthill Castle, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS), announces the next phase of ongoing environmental initiatives on its 69-acre property.
Beginning July 23, approximately fifteen dead trees identified in a forestry assessment plan began being removed in the interest of public service, with additional work to be done in the future.
The Fonthill Castle property features the National Historic Landmark home of archaeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer, with an estate cultivated as an arboretum and multiple forested regions with mature trees.
Known for its extensive trail system and natural features, the property is beloved by the community, and provides an environmental and social benefit to the region.
The hazardous tree removal is a continuing phase of the BCHS’s planned initiative to care for the 69-acres that surround Henry Mercer’s Fonthill Castle, which was recently named number four of 18 of the most beautiful castles in the U.S. by Architectural Digest.
While Fonthill Castle’s grounds are privately owned by BCHS and located in the Township, some of the trees requiring urgent removal are located along Doylestown Borough’s North and East streets, and BCHS is working in partnership with both Doylestown Township and Doylestown Borough on this effort.
Since 2023, the Bucks County Historical Society has been convening experts to explore a range of conservation and enhancement possibilities to the woodlands and open spaces surrounding Fonthill Castle.
The goal is to realize Henry Mercer’s vision to foster education and enjoyment of
both the arts and nature for the public year-round.
BCHS contracted Brandywine Urban Forestry in the spring of 2024 for a comprehensive urban forest assessment and management plan for all 69 acres of the Fonthill Castle property. This assessment reviewed the forest’s overall health and classified the status of the trees, cataloging all of the major trees in the maintained landscape, as well as trees of concern throughout the property.
During this upcoming phase, the tree removal will be conducted by arborists from John B. Ward & Co., and will consist of multiple dead trees along North Street, including one Eastern White Pine, one Red Maple and three Ash.
The trees slated for removal along East Street include five Ash, one Red Maple, and two Oak.
Additional areas of tree work in this phase include the intersection of Swamp Road and East Court St, as well as an area behind the Welcome Center at Fonthill Castle.
“As stewards of Henry Chapman Mercer’s legacy, the Bucks County Historical Society is not only responsible for caring for the building and objects he left behind, but for fulfilling Mercer’s vision of keeping the privately-owned grounds open to the public so everyone can enjoy the region’s natural beauty, native trees and species, and so that we can offer educational opportunities for generations to come,” said Kyle McKoy, BCHS President and CEO.