George Washington's 1791 Hemlock Destroyed

On March 2nd 2018, Mount Vernon and the surrounding area was hit by strong winds. That day, a Hemlock tree from 1791 fell over from the winds. In this video our director of Horticulture Dean Norton talks about the significance and history of the tree to Mount Vernon.
Visit Mount Vernon: www.mountvernon...

[@CarlaMcClafferty]

I so hate to hear this tree has been lost. Thanks Dean for all you do.

[@ednakelley814]

I live in Nashville. A few years ago a tornado pulled down MANY trees at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage home. Beautiful, large trees. Sad, BUT thank God no damage to the mansion itself even with a tornado getting that close.

[@SandyzSerious]

Sad but thank you for replanting.

[@microsoftaxell1596]

Incredible, it’s nice to know that the wood is being used for something good.

[@GarageWoodworks]

I'd love to make a piece of furniture from that historic tree! Very cool background.

[@georgewashington3803]

WHO DID THIS

[@cindyssss4099]

So interesting. Thanks for sharing. Sad but glad the wood will be used.

[@generalhoshi153]

That's extremely unfortunate. At least his house is okay. :C

[@032319581]

So sad but glad out will be put to good use.

[@sallyann1363]

Can you count the rings and find out exactly how old the tree is?

[@itrthho]

Sally Ann the center of the tree has rotted...they would be unable

[@barbaraprater2180]

How old was this tree when it came down? Were you able to count the rings? Thank you

[@dorothrawalker1389]

So very sad 😢

[@bldeagle10]

Mill it and make a writing desk for the property!

[@cameronsipka3352]

I LOVE this show

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

Would like to see 8x10 laser engraved shields of the Washington family crest made from the hemlock tree and presented as a thank you to all the preservationist and caretakers at Mount Vernon, George Washington had undoubtedly approved of the use of the family coat of arms with its crest on objects such as tombstones of the Washington family. Throughout his life Washington also had the family’s heraldic crest applied to such diverse personal belongings as silverware, wax seals, horse-drawn carriages, walking sticks, and interiors of buildings including Mount Vernon where the coat of arms was featured in the middle of the wooden fireplace mantel in the front parlor. The coat of arms was even featured on the livery uniforms of Washington’s servants, a common practice amongst wealthy planters prior to the Revolution. If you take a close look at the Purple Heart you will also see the crest, this would be a fitting thank you to those forever linked to Mount Vernon by the works they accomplished to preserve something truly special for future generations.

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

Would love to see stocks fashioned from this hemlock tree for .69 cal, Charleville muskets, Introduced initially in 1766, the new French Marine or Naval Musket was designed with brass hardware to limit the corrosive effects of the sea on small arms aboard ship. When the American Revolution broke out the U.S. Continental congress arranged the purchase of arms from France including acquiring muskets for the U.S. Continental Navy and Marines. Up to this point U.S. Marines and Sailors used whatever they could get to arm themselves. When the Charleville Marine muskets arrived they were immediately designed for the Navy.This made it the first official musket for both the U.S. Navy and the Marines, since the Marines were supplied from ship's stores throughout the rest of the Revolutionary War. The money raised from the sale of the muskets should be used for doing something nice for the caretakers and those that preserve the residence and grounds, perhaps an educational fund or savings plan. Even a monument with the names of those who have worked to preserve this sacred American treasure, guys like Dean Norton who's work will benefit generations beyond this time, his is a sacred trust and obligation that is self imposed unselfishly, I hope that he and all the folks at Mount Vernon know that it is appreciated.

[@drake8065]

would be nice if some one could make some thing small out of some of the scrap and sell it in the Gift shop, I would buy it, but do it with in 4 weeks be for I come lol lol........

[@mountvernon]

Hi Drake, we have done this for other fallen trees on the property. They are available in our Shops. shops.mountvernon.org/collections/historic-wood We are looking to see what can be done with this particular tree.

[@drake8065]

great will look for it

[@finck2208]

I will as well

[@SolarReturn1966]

LOL :) They saw you coming Drake! :)

[@michaelmyrick614]

Trees remember the past as witnesses of it. God has all their memories in Him. Washington was first at heart a farmer and it remained his longing all his life to plant and grow, to improve and develop agriculture in America. That Hemlock can't be his last tree, others must be standing. (I hope!)

[@tkguyok]

Do y'all plan on replanting another Hemlock sapling in that exact same spot?

[@mountvernon]

We asked Dean Norton what he would do and he responsed with the following:. Although we have tried in past years on many occasions to either propagate or collect seed and sow from the original hemlock all of our attempts failed. As the hemlock laid on the ground we collected cuttings and seed for one last attempt to get an offspring from our historic hemlock. If we succeed we will plant that hemlock from either the cuttings or seed in the same spot where the hemlock stood for over 200 years. If ourattempts once again fail, as in the past, in time we will plant another Canadian Hemlock that will be selected from a nursery to plant in the same spot.

[@bonzodog67lizardking15]

It would be nice if some of that tree's remains could be made into tiny souvenirs; sealed of course. :)

[@BeckVMH]

Various items are for sale on their website and made from the trees. I have an ink pen produced from a Swamp Oak tree, circa 1771. Wonderful means to share the memory of these old, historic trees.

[@scottphillips7108]

God works in mysterious ways...

[@imperialguard28]

Govenor Clinton? General Lincoln? I wonder...🤔

[@AtarahDerek]

Yes, George Clinton is related to today's Clinton dynasty. Hamilton hated him.

[@bettyebenjamen7761]

I heard and read that a pecan tree at Mount Vernon was recently removed ( a gift and graft from Thomas Jefferson and the Lewis and Clark Expedition

[@mountvernon]

Bettye, this is ttue. www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/gardens-landscapes/the-pecan-tree-removal

[@jimboslice9472]

he had time to plant non native trees and chase other people women in such a troubled time, sad : (