Look, but don't necessarily stop there. It might not be the choicest parking spot.

The American elm, on the west side of the road, sports a big wound. A rip and tear created years ago when a large limb broke off -a wound so big that the tree couldn't create a callous soon enough to protect itself, said Jackson Bird, urban community forestry coordinator for the North Dakota Forest Service.

Now a person can stick a hand in and pull out decaying soft wood. About 10 years ago, bolts were placed in the tree to stabilize it.

The Capitol's crew tried to buy as much time as possible for this historic tree. It was planted in about 1935, says Jim Davis, head of reference for the State Archives - soon after completion of the new Capitol building.

But time has run out for the 45-foot-high tree that was there when President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the Capitol in the 1930s.

And it was there when President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited.

"We're always sad to have to take down such a historic tree," said John Boyle, director of facilities management for the state Capitol.

But down it will go - as early as Wednesday morning, if needed equipment can be secured by then.

Bird took samples from the tree in September at the request of Capitol staff.

"Our recommendation to the grounds department (was that) this tree should probably be removed," he said.

He said if a tree has 30 percent or more decayed wood, the International Society of Arboriculture considers the tree to be a potential hazard. This tree comes in at 46.72.

Bird also found fungal growth below the tree's drip line - the outer edge of the tree's canopy - which leads him to think that the tree's roots also are decaying.

So the state crew will take it down, but they're hoping others will take it away. Boyle plans provide chunks of the historic tree to anyone who wants it - woodcarvers and others - instead of just hauling the wood away.

Bird said he thinks part of the tree is still in good enough shape to do something with. It's just not strong enough to be part of the Capitol's receiving line any longer.

For information about obtaining some wood, call 328-2471.

(Reach reporter Virginia Grantier at 250-8254 or at vgrantier@ndonline.com.)