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The Trees At Mount Vernon

Cb^rles Sprague Sargent

The
Trees at Mount Vernon

Report of Charles Sprague Sargent

Director of the Arnold Arboretum, to the Council of the

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union

Reprinted from the Annual Report for 1917 of the Mount Vernon
Ladies' Association of the Union

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The
Trees at Mount Vernon

Report of Charles Sprague] Sargent

Director of the Arnold Arboretum, to the Council of the

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union

Reprinted from the Annual Report for 1917 of the Mount Vernon
Ladies' Association of the Union

3 l^'S

THE TREES AT MOUNT VERNON

By CHARLES SPRAGUE SARGENT

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^

It appears desirable to place on record the size and condition of the
trees planted by Washington near his house at Mount Vernon and of
those now standing which have been planted or have sprung up naturally
in the neighborhood of the Mansion since Washington's death in 1799.

(D The largest trees, which border the Bowling Green, were probably

planted from 1783 to 1785, for it was in these years following the end of

*^ the Revolutionary War and preceding his election to the Presidency that

^ Washington was most actively engaged in the improvement of Mount
Vernon, and it was at this time that the Bowling Green and the adjoining
gardens were laid out.
0> A few of the trees planted by Washington, in spite of the poor soil

at Mount Vernon, have grown to a large size. Among the Live Oaks and
Pecans planted in Louisiana after Washington's time there are larger
5 trees than any now at Mount Vernon, and some of the Elm-trees planted

Q in front of New England farmhouses after the middle of the eighteenth
century have thicker trunks and broader heads of foliage. Larger planted

'^4 trees exist in Europe, and in Japan many Cryptomeria-trees, some of them
planted six or seven centuries ago, surpass in size and grandeur all other

''^ planted trees; but no trees planted by man have the human interest of
the Mount Vernon trees. They belong to the nation and are one of its

O precious possessions. No care should be spared to preserve them, and

tZ as they pass away they should be replaced with trees of the same kinds,
^ that Mount Vernon may be kept for all time as near as possible in the
condition in which Washington left it.

Judging by their .size and position, there are now standing fifty-seven
trees which were probably planted by Washington or during his lifetime.
The position of other comparatively large trees are shown on the plan
which accompanies this report and on which the trees are numbered; and
it is possible that some of these were growing during Washington's life,
especially the Oaks, but as Washington made no allusion in his Diary to
planting Oak-trees it is probable that as these are trees native to the
region they were self-sown.

279557

YELLOW POPLARS— (K the trees undoubtedly planted under Wash-
iii^'toii's personal direction the tallest are the Tulip-trees or Yellow
Poplars {Liriodcndron Till ipif era). There are three of these trees now
standing. The tallest of tJieni (No. 02) is 120 feet tall with a trunk 3
feet 10 inches in diameter. Another (No. 57) is 118 feet tall with a trunk
3 feet 8 inches in diameter. These two trees have tall, straight stems and
well-balaneed, shapely heads. They have both been injured near the
firoinid. probably by a mowing machine in the hands of a careless work-
man, but they are both now forming new bark over the old wounds and
are fjenerally in fjood condition. The third of these trees (No. 65) is 89
feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 9 inches in diameter. This tree is in good
condition.

COFFEE BEANS— Among the trees which are probably of Washing-
ton's lime there are three Codec Beans or Kentucky Coffee-trees
{Gymriocl(i(his dioica). The tallest of these (No. 76) is 87 feet tall with a
trimk 2 feet 11 inches in diameter. Several of the branches were broken
in the storm of June 28. 1914, and in spite of its having been struck by
lightning in 1915, this tree is still in healthy condition. The second of
these trees (No. 89) is 87 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 8 inches in diam-
eter, and the third (No. 70) is 85 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 3 inclies in
diameter. These trees are healthy and in good condition. The position
of three other Coffee Bean-trees is shown on the map. No. 84 is 70 feet
tall with a trunk 2 feet 4 inches in diameter. It is generally believed at
Mount Vernon that this tree was planted by Lafayette, but I have no
evidence confirming this belief. The head was badly injured by a storm
in September, 1896, and it is now unsightly and in poor condition. No. 88
is 51 feet tall with a trunk 10 inches in diameter, and has possibly grown
from a .seed dropped by its neighbor. No. 89. No. 19 is on the lawn
southwest of the Mansion and is 75 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet in diam-
eter. This tree is in good condition and as the Coffee Bean is a slow-
growing tree it is possible, but hardly probable, that it was planted in
Washington's lifetime.

ASHES — There are several White Ash-trees {Fraxinus americana) near
the Mansion. Nos. 29, 47, 50, 58, 67, 87, 94 and 110 of the plan were
probably planted under the direction of W^ashington. No. 29 is 91 feet
tall with a trunk 2 feet 11 inches in diameter. No. 47 is 87 feet tall with a
trunk 2 feet 2 inches in diameter. No. 50 is 87 feet tall with a trunk
2 feet 4 inches in diameter. No. 58 is 97 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 3
inches in diameter. No. 67 is 95 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 2 inches
in diameter. No. 87 is 86 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 3 inches in diam-
eter. No. 94 is 83 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 7 inches in diameter, and
No. 110 is 89 feet tall with a truni. 2 feet 3 inches in diameter. These
trees are in good condition. No. 63, which is also of Washington's time,
stands at the right of the Flower Garden gate, No. 58 standing on the
left-hand side of the gate. The two trees were formerly of the same size.

but a gale in 1896 destroyed more than half of No. 63, leaving large cav-
ities in the side of the trunk, which unfortunately have been filled with
cement. This tree is in bad condition and it is probable that it will not
live many years. Other Ash-trees planted after Washington's time are:
No. 12, a tree with four stems 75 feet tall; No. 26, 65 feet tall with a
trunk 1 foot 8 inches in diameter; No. 38, 74 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet
1 inch in diameter; No. 43, 29 feet tall with a trunk 6 inches in diam-
eter; No. 96, 63 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 5 inches in diameter; No.
102, 65 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet in diameter; No. 124, 77 feet tall
with a trunk 2 feet 4 inches in diameter, and No. 125, 80 feet tall with
a trunk 2 feet 4 inches in diameter. These trees are all healthy and
in good condition.

LINDENS — The largest of the Lindens, undoubtedly of Washington's
time. No. 48 {Tilia glabra), is 84 feet tall with a splendid trunk 4 feet 3
inches in diameter. A part of the head of this tree was destroyed by the
gale of June 28, 1914. It is otherwise in good condition and one of the
noblest of Washington's trees. No. 54 {Tilia glabra), is 90 feet tall. The
trunk of this tree, which is 3 feet 1 inch in diameter, divides near the
ground into two stems which may, unless strengthened, be split apart by
a strong wind. No. 25 (Tilia vulgaris) is 64 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet

4 inches in diameter. This tree was probably not planted during Wash-
ington's lifetime. No. 51 (Tilia glabra) is 70 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet

5 inches in diameter. This tree is in good condition, but probably was
not planted by Washington. No. 115 (Tilia glabra), at the library end of
the Mansion, is 83 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 8 inches in diameter. This
is one of the best trees at Mount Vernon. I should have supposed that
it had been planted during Washington's life without the conclusive evi-
dence that it was planted by Mrs. J. A. Washington in 1858. No. 114
(Tilia neglecla), now 5 feet tall, was planted in 1916 at the east end of
the Mansion to correspond with No. 115 at the other end.

HONEY LOCUSTS— The position of four Honey Locust-trees (67c-
dilsia triacanihos) is shown on the plan. No. 45, which is 83 feet tall with
a trunk 3 feet 7 inches in diameter, may have been planted by Washing-
ton, but I feel doubtful about the age of the others. No. 30 is 70 feet
tall witli a trunk 3 feet 5 inches in diameter; No. 70 is 70 feet tall with
a trunk 3 feet in diameter; No. 39 is 70 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet in
diameter; No. 41 is 67 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 8 inches in diameter, and
No. 101 is 70 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 6 inches in diameter. The Honey
Locust is a fast-growing and not a long-lived tree. It produces great
quantities of seeds, wJiich germinate readily, and it is not improbable
that the large trees now at Mount Vernon have sprung up naturally from
seeds shed by a tree planted by Washington or his brother Lawrence,
which long ago disappeared. Washington's interest in this tree is shown
by the fact that on March 23, 1786, he planted "between 17,000 and
18,000 .seeds of the Honey Locust."

BUCKEYES — The position of seven Buckeye-trees {.Esculus oclandra
variety) is shown on the plan. Tlie seeds from which these trees were
grown were {,'athered by Washington near the mouth of Chect River, in
what is now West Virginia, in September, 1784, and were planted by him
in April of the following year. To botanists these trees are of greater
interest than any otlier plants at Mount Vernon, for this species has
naturally yellow flowers, but these Mount Vernon trees have red, pink
and flesh-colored flowers on different individuals. Trees with flowers of
these colors have been looked for in vain in the Appalachian forests,
and except at Mount Vernon are nowhere known to exist. The tree (No.
24) has dark red flowers and is 24 feet tall with a trunk 9 inches in diam-
eter. No. 28 is 53 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 1 inch in diameter. The
bark of this tree is loose and scaling off; it is developing branchlets from
buds on the trunk and is in an unhealthy condition. No. 32 is 75 feet
tall with a trunk 2 feet 4 inches in diameter; this tree originally had two
stems; one of these was destroyed by the falling of the Hemlock (No. 31)
in the gale of June, 1914. The remainder of the tree is now in good con-
dition. No. 59 has rose-colored flowers and is 73 feet tall Avith a trunk
1 foot 9 inches in diameter; No. 85 has red flowers and is 58 feet tall
with a trunk 1 foot 5 inches in diameter; No. 92 has flesh-colored flowers
and is 71 feet tall witli a trunk 1 foot 11 inches in diameter, and No. 79
has flesh-colored flowers and is 47 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 5 inches in
diameter. With the exception of No. 28 the Mount Vernon Buckeyes are
in good condition.

HORSE-CHESTNUTS— There are three Horse-chestnut-trees {Mscu-
lus Ilippocaslanum) at Mount Vernon. Two of them, Nos. 116 and 117,
in the rear of the Springhouse, are young trees. No. 116 being 42 feet tall
with a trunk 1 foot in diameter, and No. 117 only 20 feet tall with a
trunk 8 inches in diameter. The third of these trees, No. 46, is between
the Serpentine Walk and the Kitchen Garden and is 55 feet tall with a
trunk 1 foot 8 inches in diameter. This tree is overshadowed by an Ash-
tree and evidently has grown slowly. On April 13, 1785, Washington
entered in his Diary the fact that he was planting four Horse-chestnuts
along Serpentine Walks, and it is possible, although hardly probable,
that No. 46 is one of the trees planted by him.

ELMS — There are now ten American Elm-trees (Ulmus americana)
standing in the neighborhood of the Mansion. Of these No. 1 is a young
tree only 32 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot in diameter; No. 36 is also a
young tree only 23 feet tall with a trunk 5 inches in diameter. According
to his Diary, W^ashington was busy on January 27 and 28, 1785, in hunting
for Elm-trees for his plantations, and it is probable that some of
the Mount Vernon Elms were planted under his personal direction,
although if they were planted in 1785 none of them are large trees for
their age. It must be remembered, however, that the soil where these
trees are growing is not well suited for the best development of the

6

American Elm. No. 44 is 90 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 11 inches in
diameter; No. 56 is 84 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 2 inches in diameter;
No. 106 is 63 feet tall with a tnmk 2 feet 10 inches in diameter, and No.
107 is 89 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 3 inches in diameter. Nos. 106 and
107 stand between the Office and the Gardener's House. On the East Lawn
No. 109 is 80 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 4 inches in diameter, end on the
West Lawn No. 103 is 91 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 4 inches in diameter
and the largest of tlie Mount Vernon Elm-trees. Two other Elms on the
East Lawn are indicated on the plan; No. Ill is a young tree 47 feet taU
with a trunk 15 inches in diameter, and No. 132 is 55 feet tall with a
trunk 22 inches in diameter.

Between the Serpentine Walk and the Kitchen Garden a tree of the
European Cork Elm {Ulmus foliacea, var. suberosa). No. 8-1, is 35 feet
tall with a trunk 10 inches in diameter.

All the Mount Vernon Elm-trees are healthy and in good condition.

MAPLES — -There are two Maples on the Serpentine Walk and they
were probably both planted during Washington's lifetime. No. 69 is a
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) 91 feet tail with a trunk 3 feet 11 inches
in diameter. Several of the upper branches of this tree v/ere broken in
the gale of June 28, 1914. The tree, however, is recovering and is now
in good condition and a magnificent specimen. No. 33 is a Red Maple
(Acer rubriim) 85 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 3 inches in diameter, and is
a fine healthy tree.

BEECHES — There are two American Beech-trees (Fagus grandifolia)
planted in the corners of the Bowling Green nearest the Mansion. No.
99 is 89 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 9 inches in diameter, and No. 90 is
69 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 5 inches in diameter. They are good
specimens with tall straight trunks and, judging by their size, were
planted during Washington's lifetime.

PECANS — There are three Pecan-trees, or Mississippi or Illinois nuts,
as Washington called them {Carya pecan), at Mount Vernon. According
to the Diary, tliese trees were planted March 25, 1775, and are therefore
so far as we know the oldest of the trees planted by Washington. Apart
from the fact that they were planted by ^\ ashington these trees are of
great interest, as they were given to him by Jefferson, who in 1784 first
published a technical description of this tree in his "Notes from Virginia,"
and who apparently first distributed in the Eastern States living plants
brought from the Mississippi valley. The three Pecan-trees are in good
condition and, unless blown over or injured by gales, probably liave not
lived out half their lives. They are on the lawn southwest and east of
the Mansion; No. 118 is 97 feet tail with a trunk 2 fecrl 6 inches in
diameter; No. 120 is 98 feet tall willi a trunk 2 f(;el 4 itulics in diani-
(•t(!r. and No. 129, on the East Lawn, is 86 feet tall with a trunk 2 feel
2 inches in diametcir.

WALNUTS— \\iisliiri;,'l()ii's iiitorost in the so-called ImikHsIi or Kreiioh
Walnut (JiKjIans retjia) is shown by the fact that on September If), 1763.
lie •■planted in eleven holes on west side of {garden twenty-two l^nplish
Walnuts," and on March 28, 1770, he "planted three French walinits in
new fjarden and on that side next the Work House." On February 9, 1785,
hv "transplanted l-lnplish Walnut trees from corner near where the old
.schoolhouse stood to the upper side." Nothing is left from these plantings
and there are now only two young English Walnut-trees at Mount Vernon.
No. 03 is 41 feet tall with a trunk 14 inches in diameter and stands in the
enclosure south of the Flower Garden used by \\ ashington as a botanical
garden or trial ground for plants sent him from dilVerent parts of the
^oimfry and from the \\ est Indies. No. 68. which is in the Kitchen Car-
den, is 42 feet tall with a trunk 15 inches in diameter.

Washington makes no mention in his Diary of the Black Walnut
(Jufilana nigra) and it is not probable that lu; planted the two trees now
growing on the East Lawn, but as this tree is a native of the region
these two Walnuts may have been growing there during his lifetime,
although as the trees are not large this is not probable. No. 113 is 74
feet tall with a trunk 3 feet in diameter, and No. 135 is 81 feet tall with
a trunk 2 feet 6 inches in diameter.

A young Butternut {Juglans cinerea). No. 100, stands between the
Butler's House and the Smokehouse, and is 18 feet tall with a trunk 5
inches in diameter.

LOCUSTS — Although there are two brief mentions of this tree in the
Diary, it is not probable that Washington neglected so valuable a tree
as the Ijocust {Bobinia Pseudacacia). Young Locust-trees are now com-
mon at Mount Vernon, but none are old enough to have been of Wash-
ington's time. The positions of three of these trees are shown on the
plan. No. 75 is now 66 feet tall with a trunk 24 inches in diameter; No.
104 is 61 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet in diamett^; and No. 105, which is
only 19 feet high, was planted in the autunm of 1916 to take the place
of a Locust-tree which stood in Washington's time at the corner of the
Kitchen and was used as a hitching-post for visitors' horses.

MULBERRIES — It is natural that Washington should have been in-
terested in Mulberry-trees on account of their fruit and probably with the
idea of providing food for siUc-worms and the making of silk. As early
as March, 1765, we find him "grafting fifteen English Mulberries on wild
Mulberry stocks." There is no Enghsh Mulberry and his scions may
ha\e been from a Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) from southeastern
Europe and Asia Minor, or from a White Mulberry (Morus alba), the
Chinese tree which furnishes the principal food for silk-worms. On
February 28, 1785, he "planted all the Mulberry trees, Maple trees and
Black Gums in Serpentine W alk." Only one Mulberry-tree (No. 20) is
now standing in the area covered by the plan; it is a White Mulberry 60
feet tall with a trunk 3 feet 3 inches in diameter. This is probably one
of the trees planted by Washington.

8

SASSAFRAS — On ISIarch 3, 1785, Washington was planting Sassa-
fras-trees (Sassafras variifolium) in his shrubberies. Large Sassafras-trees
have been blown down at Mount Vernon in recent years and there are
only two of these trees shown on the plan; one of these (No. 21) stands
next to the White Mulberry and is 50 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 4 inches
in diameter; the other is in the northeast corner of the East Lawn and
is No. 137. This tree is 62 feet tall with a trunk 21 inches in diameter.
The Sassafras is a common native tree in Virginia and the two Mount
Vernon specimens are probably not planted trees.

REDBUDS— On February 28 and March 3. 1785, Washington was
planting Redbud-trees (Cercis canadensis) at Mount Vernon, and the
position of fo\ir of these trees is marked on the plan. No. 35 stands in
the west border of the Flower Garden and has two stems each 31 feet
high and 8 inches in diameter. No. 61, which is on the Serpentine Walk
near the entrance to the Flower Garden, is 20 feet tall with a trunk 7
inches in diameter; No. 52, which is on the opposite side of the Bowling
Green, is 33 feet tall with a trunk 7 inches in diameter. Judging by
their size and vigor, these trees could not have been planted in the
eighteenth century. No. 121, which stands near the east end of the
Mansion, is a shoot from the stump of an old tree which may have been
planted by Washington.

DOGWOODS— On February 22, 1785, ^^'ashington "moved several
young trees of Sassafras, Dogwood and Redbud to the shrubbery on No.
side of the grass plat." That he appreciated the beauty which can be
obtained by contrasting the white flowers of the Dogwood with the rose-
colored flowers of the Redbud is sliown by his planting on March 1, 1795,
"a circle of Dogwood with a Redbud in the middle close to the old Cherry
tree near the south garden house." There are two large Dogwood-trees
northwest of the Flower Garden which may have been growing where
they now stand before Washington's death, although it is impossible to
decide whether they were planted or are natural trees. No. 22 is 28 feet
tall with a trunk 10 inches in diameter, and No. 23 is 26 feet tall with a
trunk 12 inches in diameter.

HOLLIES — Washington appreciated the beauty of the native Holly
(Ilex opuca), which is often mentioned in his Diary, and there are now
thirteen large specimens of this tree standing at Mount Vernon which
were probably planted during his lifetime. This Holly grows slowly and
trees one hundred years old which have grown naturally under more favor-
able conditions are often not larger than the Mount Vernon trees. No.
11 is 19 feet tall with a trunk 9 inches in diameter; No. 18-1 is 31 feet
taU with a trunk 1 foot 4 inches in diameter; No. 27 is 28 feet tall with
a trunk 7 inches in diameter; No. 34 is 38 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot
in diameter; No. 49 is 37 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot in diameter: No. (50
is 37 feel tall with a trunk 1 foot 1 inch in diameter; No. 86 is 30 feet tall

g

wilh a trunk 1 foot in diameter; No. 91 is 22 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot

1 ineli in diameter. Nos. 127 and 128 are on the East Lawn near the
Mansion and are 23 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 2 inches in diameter,
and 20 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot in diameter; No. 98 is 27 feet
tall with a trunk 1 foot in diameter; No. 61 is 2S feet tall with a trunk 11
inches in diameter, and No. 40 is 50 feet tall with a trunk 2 feel 2 inches in
diameter. One side of tlie top of No. 91 was destroyed by a gale in 1896
and a large cavity at tlie top of the trunk is filled with cement. This is
a berry bearing tree with a handsome straight stem; it is still growing
vigorou.sly and will probably form in time a new head of branches. The
other Holly-trees are symmetrical and in good condition.

SORBUS — Washington in his Diary mentions the planting of Sorbus-
trees, probably Sorbus domestica, the English Service tree, as there is an
old specimen of this tree (No. 37) standing near the northwest corner of
the Bowling Green. This tree is 31 feet tall with a trunk 15 inches in
diameter. It is failing rapidly and probably cannot live many years.

OAKS — The positions of ten Oak-trees are shown on tlie plan, and,
although probably none of them were planted by Washington, it seems
desirab'e to include them in this report, as they are large and conspicuous
healthy trees which may live for many years. No. 6 stands to the right
of the entrance to the Bowling Green northwest of the Kitchen Garden
and is a noble ^^ hite Oak {Quercus alba) 98 feet tall with a trunk 3 feet in
diameter. With the exception of the Yellow Poplars and one Pecan this is
the tallest tree at Mount Vernon. On the left of the entrance are three Red
or Spanish Oaks (Quercus rubra). No. 13 is a double tree 90 feet tall with
two .stems, each 3 feet 5 inches in diameter; No. 14 is 85 feet tall with a
trunk 3 feet 5 inches in diameter, and No. 15 is a young tree 56 feet tall
with a trunk 1 fool 8 inches in diameter. On the southeast corner of the
East Lawn there are four White Oaks, Nos. 130, 131. 136 and 137. No.
130 is 68 feet tall wilh a trunk 2 feet 8 inches in diameter; No. 131 is 63
feet tall with a trunk 2 feet in diameter; No. 136 is 76 feet tall with a
trunk 3 feel 3 inches in diameter, and No. 137 is 59 feet tall with a trunk

2 feet 2 inches in diameter. A beautiful narrow-leaved Chestnut Oak
{Quercus Muehlenbergii), No. 124-1, stands just inside the Deer Park
fence at the bottom of the North Lawn and is 70 feet tall wilh a trunk 3
feet 6 inches in diameter. A White Oak on the West Lawn south of the
Mansion (No. 126) is 74 feet tall and 4 feet 4 inches in diameter, and the
Red or Spanish Oak by the Summer House (No. 122) is 83 feet tall and
4 feet 8 inches in diameter. These Oaks have not been injured by gales
and are all well-shaped healthy trees.

MAGNOLIAS— On May 21, 1785, Washington noted in his Diary that
he had received plants of the large Magnolia of South Carolina {Mag-
nolia grand iflora) and on the 18th of November he put them in the green-
house for the \\ inter. On April 6tJi of the following year Washington

10

"transplanted 46 large Magnolias of So. Carolina — 6 at the head of each
of the serpentine walks next the circle. 26 in the shrubbery or grove at
the South end of the house, and 8 in that at the No. end;" and on the
8th of that month he "transplanted as many of #lie large Magnolia into
the grove at the No. end of the House as made the number there." On
May 2, 1786, he "planted seed of the large Magnolia or Laurel of Caro-
lina in boxes near the greenhouse." Of these Magnolias planted by
Washington only one remains; this (No. 97) stands not far from the
Butler's House and is 50 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet in diameter; 30
feet of the trunk of this tree were destroyed in the gale of September 28,
1896, and it now has a misshapen head. This tree, however, is in a
healthy condition and will probably hve for many years.

HEMLOCKS — That Washington appreciated the beauty of the Hem-
lock-tree (Tsuga canadensis) is shown by the entries in the Diary in
March, 1785; on the 11th he "planted Hemlock scions (28 of them) in
ye shrubbery," and on the next day he "planted two Hemlock trees in
a line with the East end of the Kitchen and Servants Hall, and 10 feet
from the corner of the post & rail fence at each." On .luly 5th of the
same year he notes that he received from General Lincoln, among other
trees, "two of the Fir or Hemlock in half barrels, which seemed to be
healthy and vegetating." On the lOUi of November of that year he
planted eight more Hemlocks, and on January 30th of the next year he
planted another Hemlock-tree. From these plantings only three trees.
all standing on the Flower Garden side of the Bowling Green, are now
alive. The trunk of No. 31 originally divided at the base into two main
stems; these were blown over in the gale of June 28, 1914. One of the
stems was destroyed and the other, which is 74 feet high with a diameter
of 2 feet 3 inches, has been set up and is now held in place by guy ropes.
This tree is dying and probably will not live many months. No. 55 is 65
feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 1 inch in diameter; although much crowded
and shaded by other trees, it is sound and healthy. No. 83, which is 81
feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 6 inches in diameter, is the tallest and hand-
somest of the Hemlocks planted by Washington. This tree was struck
by lightning in 1897, but is still in good condition and is covering the
wound with new bark. It may live for many years, although trees which
have been struck by lightning do not often long survive the shock. This
tree is suffering from two neighboring trees, which interfere with its sym-
metrical growth.

A Hemlock-tree (No. 37-1), now 15 feet tall with a trunk 1 inches in
diameter, was planted in 1912 to replace one of the Hemlocks planted by
Wa.shington and blown down in that year. Three >oung Hemlock-trees
planted in 1916 are now growing north of the northern end of the Kitchen
Garden and on the plan are marked Nos. 2, 7 and 8, and are 18, 17 and
19 inches high. Five Hemlock-trees, now about 4 feet tall, were planted
in November, 1015, along th<^ Serpentine Walk to take the places of original
trees which had disajjpeared; they are Nos. 31-1, 31-2, 40-1, 40-2, 40-3.

11

RED CEDARS— Nine l^ed Cedars {Jimiperus virgini'ana) are growing
ill tlir area tovt'riHi by the f)lan. Washington certainly knew the value
of this conifrr. for it is one of the conniiori trees in the Potomac Valley,
and in tiie last entry inliis Diary relating to trees, dated March 8. 1796,
he says: "On Saturday last the dead C-edars in my shrubberies were
replaced by live ones just taken up." This is the only mention of the
lied Cedar in the Diary. Of the Cedars now at Mount Vernon, No. 53,
which is the only one on the Serpentine Walk, may have been planted
by Washington, altiiough it is only 45 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 4
inches in diameter; if planted by him it might well have been a much
larger tree. The otiier Cedars are Nos. 3. 4, 5, 16, 17. IS, 19 and 134.
No. 3 is 36 feet tail with a trunk 12 inches in diameter; No. 4 is 30 feet tall
with a trunk 13 inches in diameter; No. 5 is 38 feet tall with a trunk 15
inches in diameter; No. 16 is 33 feet tall with a trunk S inches in diameter;
No. 17 is 38 feet tall with a trunk 9 inches in diameter; No. 18 is 47 feet
tall with a trunk 14 inches in diameter, and No. 19 is 44 feet tall with a
trunk 16 inches in diameter. No. 134, which is on the East Lawn near
the Deer Park fence, is 40 feet tall with a trunk 11 inches in diameter.
Judging by the size and position of these trees, I believe that they sprang
up naturally sometime after the death of Washington.

WHITE PINES — Washington makes many references in his Diary to
the planting of Pine-trees, but they probably all refer to the common
Pine of the Mount Vernon region {Pinus virginiana). He says nothing
of the White Pine (Pinus Slrobus) with which he must have become
familiar during his journeys to the west, and there is no evidence that
he ever planted this tree. There are now, however, three young White
Pines growing at Mount Vernon, Nos. 28, 81 and 112. The first is near
the Schoolroom and is now 12 inches tall. No. 112 is on the East Lawn
and is 23 feet tall with a trunk 7 inches in diameter, and No. 81. on the
west border of the Bowling Green, is 10 inches tall.

BOX — On the west side of the BowUng Green near the entrance to
the Kitchen Garden are three handsome and healthy Box-trees (Biixus
sempervirens) . No. 66 stands nearly opposite the gate of the Kitchen
Garden; it is 21 feet tall and well furnished with gracefully drooping
branches. This is one of the handsomest and most interesting trees at
Mount Vernon. Nos. 77 and 80 are 17 and 22 feet taU and are healthy,
handsome trees. These three trees were probably planted by Washington.

APPLES AND PEARS— In the Kitchen Garden are now standing
one Apple-tree (No. 71) 45 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 2 inches in diameter,
and three Pear-trees; of these No. 10 is 39 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 5
inches in diameter; No. 72 is 40 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 7 inches in
diameter, and No. 73 is 35 feet tall with a trunk 1 foot 5 inches in diam-
eter. These three Pear-trees may be of \\ ashington's time, but the
Apple-tree was probably planted later.

12

CHERRY — There is now standing on the East Lawn a Cherry-tree
{Primus avium). No. 137-1, 55 feet tall with a trunk 2 feet 3 inches in
diameter. Judging by its position, this may have sprung from a seed
from one of Washington's garden Cherry-trees dropped by a bird.

NETTLE TREE— Near the Cherry-tree a Nettle-tree (Cillis occi-
dentalis). No. 134-1, is 61 feet tall with a trunk 21 inches in diameter.
This tree is too small to have been planted by \\ ashington.

CEDAR OF LEBANON— A Cedar of Lebanon {Ceilms palula). No.
123, near the Summer House, was planted in 1874 and is now 59 feet
tall with a trunk 11 inches in diameter. When several exotic trees,
known only since Washington's death, were removed from Mount Vernon
this Cedar was left, for Washington, although he apparently never planted
one of these trees, might have done so, as the Cedar of Lebanon was
well known in his time.

Measurements of the Mount Vernon trees have been made by Mr.
H. H. Dodge, the Superintendent, who has placed their exact positions on
the plan, and without his assistance it would have been impossible for
me to have prepared this report. The measurement of the trunks was
taken at 3 feet above the surface of the ground. The plan has been pre-
pared for publication in the office of Mr. Guy Lowell, of Boston, to whom
the Association is indebted for this assistance.

13

LIST OF TREES PLANTED AT MOUNT VERNON SINCE 1914
AT THE SUGGESTION OF PROFESSOR SARGENT

1700 Dogwoods (Cornus Jlorida).
117 Redbuds {Cercis canadensis).
36 Yews (Taxus haccata).
78 Hollies {Ilex opaca).
IS Fringe trees (Chionanlhus virginica).
12 Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana).
12 Laurel Oaks (Quercus laurifolia)-.
9 Hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis).
6 Magnolias (Magnolia grand ijlora) .

2 Swamp Magnolias {Magnolia glauca).

3 White Pines (Pinus Sirobus).
1 Linden (Tilia neglecta).

10 Tupelos {Nyssa syl^alica).
255 Red Cedars (Juniperus virginiana).
101 Native Pines (Pinus virginiana).
250 English Hawthorns (Crafsegus oxyacantha) .

These Dogwoods and Redbuds have been mostly planted to increase
the beauty of the woods, where they grow naturally. The Live Oaks,
Laurel Oaks and Magnolias are now planted in the enclosure south of the
Flower Garden. The Hollies have been planted to make a hedge along
the drive between the Spinning House and the Boiler Room, and the
English Hawthorns in a hedge next to the fence in the rear of the
Quarters' Building. These hedges have been planted because Washington
made various unsuccessful attempts to establish Holly and Hawthorn
hedges at Mount Vernon. The Linden has been planted at the northeast
end of the Mansion to match the Linden (No. 115) at the Library end of
the house. Of the Red Cedars, one hundred and twenty-seven were planted
in the neighborhood of the Tomb, one hundred and thirteen along the
nortlieast boundary of the estate, and fifteen near the Boiler Room. The
native Pines are on each side of the entrance to the Bowling Green,
where Washington planted Pine-trees in what he spoke of as "The Wil-
derness."

14

TREES MENTIONED BY WASHINGTON IN HIS DIARY, AS

PLANTED BY HIM AT MOUNT VERNON,

WHICH HAVE DISAPPEARED

A«pen (Populus Iremuloides).

Black Haw {Viburnum prunifolium), now represented at Mount
Vernon by young plants.

Balsam-tree (Abies balsamea).

Black Gum {Nyssa sylvatica), now represented at Mount Vernon by
young plants.

Chestnut {Caslanea denlata).

Crab-tree (Malus coronaria).

Fringe-tree (Chionanlhus virginica), now represented at Mount
Vernon by small plants.

Gloucester Hickory Nut (Carya laciniosa).

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), now represented at Mount Vernon
by young plants.

Mahogany-tree (Swietenia mahagoni).

Mediterranean Pine (Pinus Pinea).

Native Pine (Pinus virginiana), now represented at Mount Vernon
by young plants.

Palmetto-tree (Sabal Palmello).

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba).

Pistachia Nut (Pislachia vera).

Pride of China (Melia Azcdarach).

Small-berried Thorn (Crataegus phaenopy rum).

Spanish Chestnut (Castanea saliva).

Shellbark Hickory (Carya ovala).

Spruce Pine (Picea mariana).

Swamp Magnolia (Magnolia glauca). now represented at Mount
Vernon by small plants.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra).

Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica), now represented at Moin)t
Vernon by trees along the river bank.

Yellow Willow (?).

Yew (Tuj-us buccalu), now represented at Mount Vernon by young
plants.

L")

27i):

THE TREES SHOWN ON THE PLAN

Niimhcrs in Imny fiici' type iiulicalc trees probably y)lanted during
N\ nsliiuu'ton's lifetime. Numbers in itiilics indicate trees possibly planted
diirinj,' \\ asiiinfiton's lifetime. Other numbers iiidieate trees planted
since W asliinj^ton's death.

Apple — No. 71.

Ash— \os. 2Ck 29, 38, 43, 47, 50, 58, 67, 87, 94, 9G. 102, 110.
IJeeeh— Nos. 90, 99.
Black Walnut— Nos. 114, 135.
Box— Nos. 66, 77, 80.
Biiekeye— Nos. 24, 28, 32, 59, 79, 85, 92.
Butternut— No. 100.
Cedar of Lebanon— No. 123.
Chestnut. Oak— No. 124-1.
(^.herry — No. 137-1.

Collee Bean— Nos. 70, 76, 84. 88. 89, 120.
Dogwood— Nos. 22, 23.

American Elm— Nos. 1, S-1, 30. 44, 56, 103, iOG. 107, 109, 111. 132,
134-1.

European Elm — No. 8-1.

English Walnut— Nos. 68, 93.

Hemlock— Nos. 2, 7. 8, 31, 31-1, 31-2, 37-1, 40-1. 40-2, 40-3, .52. 55, 83.

Holly— Nos. 11, 13, 18-1, 27, 34, 40, 49, 60, 64, 86, 91, 127, 128.

Honey Locust — Nos 30. 'i5. 70. 101.

Horse-chestnut— Nos. //6, 116. 117.

Linden— Nos. 25. 48, 50, 54, 111. 115.

Magnolia — No. 97.

ISlulberry- No. 20.

Nettle-tree— No. 134-1.

Pear— Nos. 10, 72.

Pecan— Nos. 118, 120, 129.

Redbud— Nos. 35, 52. 61. 121.

Red Cedar- Nos. 3. 4, 5. 16. 17. 18. 19, 5.?, 134.

Red Maple— No. 33.

Red Oak— Nos. 13. 14. 15. 122.

Sassafras — Nos. 21. 137.

Sorbus— No. 37.

Sugar Maple— No. 69.

White Oak— Nos. 6. 126, 130. 131, 13G, 137.

White Pine— Nos. 28, 81, 112.

Yellow Poplar or Tulip-tree — Nos. 57, 62, 65.

Arnold Arboreliun. Mny, 1917.

16

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