George Washington-Era Tree Topples At Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, VA — A tree from George Washington's time fell at the Mount Vernon estate earlier in November. The estate says it was the last tree with Civil War carvings on the first president's property.

According to Mount Vernon director of horticulture Dean Norton, the fallen tree appeared to be from the 1780s. Washington's estate was considered neutral territory during the Civil War, and nearly 200 regiments visited between 1861 and 1865.

After the Civil War ended in 1865, two Union regiments visited Mount Vernon in between the Grand Review of the Armies celebration in DC and carved their insignias into three trees. The last of the three trees also had carvings from Union soldiers during the Civil War, according to Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association records. The other two carved trees fell in summer 2018 and 40 years ago.

"You hate to see a living witness to the life and times of George and Martha Washington go, especially a tree that has a connection to another significant historical period of Mount Vernon," said Norton.

The fallen tree's wood will go to the Mount Vernon's preservation department, while the remainder will be turned into products for use at the estate.

Mount Vernon has several trees tied to the 18th century and the oldest dating back to 1683.