It stood by present-day East Main Street (State Route 88), at its intersection with Yankee Drive,[1] for 217 years (from 1793 to January 19, 2010).

A plaque on its trunk stated: This tree is hereby designated a historic landmark to be honored and preserved for future generations.

[6] After battling fifteen bouts of Dutch elm disease, in 2007, stripes appeared under the tree's bark, indicating a worsening condition.

[7] In October 2009, the plaque was removed from its trunk and replaced with a laminated version, and before the end of the year, "The Herbie Project" fund-raising campaign was set up to raise money to care for and plant other trees in the town.

It is now on permanent display outside Yarmouth town hall, on Cleaves Street, a project of the local Eagle Scouts.