The Washington herald., 1911-06-25

Washington is asserted to be the best
treed" city in the United States and one
OF the best in the world. The statement
is made by men who are authorities in the
matter OF trees. This being the case, and
considering the fact that we have been
making history by leaps and bounds ever
since the time OF Columbus, II follows
that there are a number of "living monu-
ments" in the form Of historic trees scat
tered about the Capital City. Some OF
the historic trees have disappeared from
the ken OF man. and others are in fair
way to follow. although modern tree sur
gerry has stepped in to save many Of them
from death.
Tie White House grounds contain sew
eraI OF these notable trees, though the
number is not what might be expected, as
IL would seem but natural that each
President should be represented in this
way. Probably the most notable of the
White House trees Is the American elm,
said to have been planted by John Quincy
Adams during his incumbency of his
Office as sixth President OF the United
States. 1t is situated on the mound to the
southeast of the White House, and is i'm
mediately noticeable by reason OF its size,
towering above the paintings OF later
date
Another American elm was planted by
President Rutherford B. Hayes in March,
1918, near the west entrance Of the north
roadway approach to the White House,
while near the roadway on the east side
of the grounds Is a sweet gum tree
planted by Benjamin Harrison while he
was President
Later Presidential Trees.
In 1898 President Mckinley planted a
scarlet oak In the lawn west of the
White House. bordering the walk now
leading to the executive Offices. where it
still stands as a monument to the third
martyred President. No other President
seems to have perpetuated his memory BY
this means until Mr.. Roosevelt came to
the White House, when, on February q
1904, he and Mrs. Roosevelt each planted
a fern-leaved beech tree In the lawns
east and west of the walk leading to the.
to the White House from Ex-
scutive avenue. These trees were thirty J
original situation in Seaton Park, and |
we're removed with frozen balls Of earth |
their roots. They suffered no |
iwarfage by reason Of their uprootal and |
ater transplanting, but proceeded to take |
-oot and thrive hardly
Another interesting tree, having q re-
history, is the Russo-American /
'ak planted in the lawn east Of the west /
errace of the White House, also by Pres
dent Roosevelt. assisted by Secretaries
?. A. Hitchcock and James Wilson, OF /
he Interior and Agricultural departments.
The tree is a lineal descendant Of
| native American oak which once grew |
lbove and overshadowed the tomb of
SeorEe Washington at Mount Vernon.
Acorns from the tree were sent by the
don. Charles Sumner, while q Senator, to
ne Car Of Russia. The following Is the
tatement furniehed by Secretary e. A.
hitchcock at the time Of the planting OF
he seed:
While Ambassador at the Court OF Sc. I
,etersburg made inquiry with respect to
Ee disposition Of some acorns that the
Ion. Charles Sumner while q Senator
rom Massachusetts had sent to his inn
eriaf majesty the Gar learned that /,
hese acorns had been planted on what
, known as iCzarina Island, which Is
ncluded IN the superb surroundings OF
ne Of the palaces of the Car near Peter
of. and there I found a beautiful oak
nth tablet at its foot bearing q Rus
Ian inscription. the translation Of which
J as follows:
The acorn planted here was talxen 1,
rom an oak which shades the tomb Of :
he celebrated and never-to-be- forgotten
Tashineton; is presented to his imperial /,
a5esty the Emperor Of All the RussIes
? sign Of greatest respect-By an ,
mefican
Mr. Hitchcock was fortunate enough to
nd some acorns beneath the tree. ana
athering few, he cent them home and
.cured from them few oak saplines. I
ls Of which he had just planted. A little /
ter smother OF the saplings was planted / 1
aar 70 the ancestral tree at Washing ,
ms tomb. which Is stiH dourishine
The Washington Elsa.
Probably the most interesting tree IN | !
FaEhington-at least It should bells the / :
Washington eim.' In the CAPITOL \
'ounds. IT Is 4 tradition. and Is prob 1 4
lie that Wasai1gton. while building his ] .