Midtown residents gathered this afternoon to bid goodbye to one of the neighborhood's oldest residents.

At the corner of Capitol Avenue and 18th streets, they told stories, recited poems and lamented the demise of a landmark camphor tree that has graced the area since 1886.

The tree, the victim of a fungal disease, is scheduled to be cut down beginning at around 7 Wednesday morning.

Wood from the camphor will be used by local artists to create tables, chairs and other items.