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Historic Trees
Иану
inf cresting' historical an«l tra¬
ditional events are connckelcd with
these old trees, of which there are a
large number in different sections
of the State.
By HARRY Z. TUCKER
THICKS arc loved by all kinds of
people. Having more than the al¬
lotted span of human life, trees
earry their associations through gen¬
erations of men and women, and are
often immortalized by poets and art¬
ists. By their very natures they arc
landmarks and memorials. They are
often identified with important hap¬
penings; thus they figure in both his¬
tory and biography.
North Carolina has been literally
nurtured in a wooden cradle, for
trees have always played an impor¬
tant part in the development of the
State. Their historical associations
should be preserved.
There are many historical trees in
the State, and there are many inci¬
dents about trees which are unknown
to the average person. These inter¬
esting trees are found in nearly ev¬
ery section of the State and deal with
many species. However, a lengthy
story of every tree, with a history, is
impossible here, as such a compila¬
tion of data would require much
space. We shall tell only of trees of
outstanding importance.
The Washington Oak
Since trees are always found en¬
tering into the interests of famous
men anil women, it is significant to
begin with the Washington Oak.
named for President Washington,
himself a great lover of trees. This
mammoth oak tree stands near Guil-
ford Courthouse, and is . . rded as
having been used for •belter by
Washington in 1791. when a visitor to
the battle site. Nearby stands the
celebrated Liberty Oak. a beautiful
tree. To this oak. it is said. General
Nathaniel Greene tied his horse some¬
time during his stay at the battle of
Guilford. Unlike the horse of Wash¬
ington. his steed did not bite out the
top of the tree.
New Garden Oak, also called the
Revolutionary Oak, stands near the
site of the old Quaker Meeting House.
at Guilford College. After the battle
of Guilford, both General Greene and
Lord Cornwallis withdrew, leaving
their wounded to the care of the
Quakers at New Garden. The Quak¬
ers hastened to lend what assistance
they eollld to the wounded soldiers.
As men of both armies died, they
were laid to rest under a mammoth
oak in the quiet Quaker burying
ground.
Another famous tree, which also
has to do with the Revolutionary
days, is the gnarled old Tory Oak at
Wilkesboro. On this tree it is writ¬
ten that Colonel Benjamin Cleveland
hanged Tories. A scion of the orig¬
inal tree has recently been set out.
as the mother tree is in a sad state of
decay.
Down in Dare County, on the edge
of Fort Raleigh, there stands a mag-
The Dram Tree, on the Cape Fear,
below Wilmington. When this old
tree was sighted by sailors it was the
signal for taking a last dram before
reaching port.
The old Tory Oak, at Wilkesboro,
where several Tories are said to have
been hanged.
iiilicent pine, called the Ragle's Nest
Pine. The tree bears the letter C.
which is believed to indicate the word
Croatan.
A cypress tree, at New Bern, said
to be more than a thousand years old.
has sheltered such notables as Wash¬
ington. Nathaniel Greene. Rdward
Everett, and Richard Dobbs Spa i gilt.
This historic tree has recently been
included in the Hall of Fame for
American trees.
Another tree that is connected with
the Independence of America is the
Cornwallis Oak. near Winton, on the
old Moore place. This is one of the
largest oaks in the State. It has a tre¬
mendously large spread. It was un¬
der this ancient oak that Cornwallis
rested and dined while on his way to
Vorktown. and defeat.
Ill Wake County is the celebrated
Henry Clay Oak. It was here that
Clay sat while writing his memorable
letter opposing the annexation of
Texas.
One of the best known historic
trees in North Carolina is the vener-
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