The Washington herald., 1911-06-25
WASHINCTONS BIG TREES
PLANTED BY BIG MEN

where il stood a little to the south. The
removal was ordered and executed to
make way for the large unfinished monu-
| ment now dominating that side of the
| garden. It Is a lamentable fact that sew
eral interesting living monuments were
sacrificed to this marble one. 1t cost
many thousands of dollars to transplant
this oak. and it is sort of miracle that
It is living, though 1t still is supported by
ropes and stakes.
Mr. Smith, who helped to plant the tree,
is still the superintendent of the Bo-
tanic Garden, and says that the tree
Is not only thriving but will bear fruit,
and that he hopes to be able to raise a
big family from the seed of the Peace
Oak, that being its popular designation.
Another tree which was planted in the
gerden in 1852 Is now fourishing in Lin
coin Park. This is a fine specimen of the
Oriental plane tree. and was planted by
direction of the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens.
Pennsylvania Congressman. The re-
moval of this tree was considered neces-
sary for its preservation because of an
overflow of the Potomac in 1870. After
its removal 1t stood bare-stemmed OBJ
ject with a few small branches near the
top, and when the park was graded and
otherwise improved a mound was built
up around it and the stem covered TO
a depth Of several feet with earth. and
1t speedily sent out shoots and became a
lofty and vigorous tree. 1t is now up
ward of seventy feet in height and as
handsome as any in the city.
Two Masonic Trees.
The Garfield tree, planted by the walk
near the south entrance to the large con-
servatory Of the Botanic Garden, is an
other tree with a noval history. At the
funeral ceremonies of President Garfield
a small seeding branchlet of acacia was
placed by a member of the Masonic fra
ternity on his coffin. After his burial this
seeding plant was brought to Washing
ton and was subsequently planted in its
present location. Near this tree, on the
opposite side Of the walk. has been plant
ed another acacia as a memorial to the
late Gen. Albert Pike. for so many years
the central figure Of the Masonic fra
ternity in the United States.
Within sight OF these trees is a stem Of
what was once the Beck memorial tree.
The tree is dead and VIII have to be cut
down. Near this dead tree fiourishes the
Jefferson tree, turkey oak. so named
because wild turkeys eat the seed that
fall from 1t. Jefferson was discovered
gathering the seed Of the tree from
horseback for the purpose Of decorating
and beautifying the grounds at Wash
ington. This tree is the result of some
OF the seed he so gathered.
Another beautiful tree is the God tree"
of Japan, planted by Garland when
he was Attorney General. 1t is a
lofty and stately smooth-barked tree,
most striking and unlike any other tree |
near 1t. Near it are trees planted by |
Foraker and Hoar, and near the Beck |
tree is the Shepherd memorial tree. This |
h. al kvA. R..Nk a Il
rom the roots OF the Washington elm. |
Planted south of the greenhouses, near /
Maryland avenue and Second street |
southwest, is a Chinese oak with a most |
interesting history. Many years ago a
'riend Of the Hon. Charles A. Dana, trav-
cling in China, picked up a number OF
lcorns under tree growing by the grave
If Confucius, brought them to America,
md gave them to Mr.. Dana, who planted
i number Of them in his grounds. This
rec was grown from one of these seeds
to Mr.. Smith by Mr.. Falconer,
he well-known horticulturist, who was
t that time superintendent OF Mr.. Dana's
rounds on Long Island.
Many other Noted Trees.
Besides these and British oak planted
Alabama claims, there are tree memo
iais OF y. ". FOrney, EoWln rorreSt.
Ienator Conger. Senator Stewart, and
ther notable men, including two Jap
nese umbrella trees, memorials OF Hanna
nd Dick. planted by the latter. and the
'ennon memorial tree. planted by the 1
x-Speaker.
Nor do these comprise the historic tree
olony OF Washington. In the Agricui- 1
nral grounds are the Rusk and willets ]
iemorial trees, two pin oaks planted by
be honorable, Secretary OF Agriculture.
ames Wilson. April p. 1901, in the small {
-iangie formed BY the intersecting walks I
'est OF Thirteenth street near the center /
the grounds, in memory OF the former !
secretary OF Agriculture. the Hon -Jer- {