The Environment Envir. In his meticulous plantation diaries, Thomas Jefferson did the same. When President Andrew Jackson built his first home, he planted some that bore his nickname. We see them everyday, and so don't often give them second thought or a second glance. We enjoy the shade they provide in the summer and the colorful leaves in the fall.
Historic trees can serve as symbols and reminders of important persons and important events.
They can teach us about the history of agriculture and horticulture. They have even served as landmarks and, in some cases, as a means of punishment. The household ledgers and plantation journals that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson kept show that both men cherished the trees, shrubs, and gardens that were such an essential part of everyday life at Mount Vernon and Monticello. Seeing these trees today makes it easy to imagine Washington plotting where each would stand and periodically inspecting their growth during the morning rides he took across his land nearly every day. Carefully drawing out planting plans, Jefferson took careful note of what survived and what did not.