Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 24, 2007 An Alba Park elm tree that fell over during Wednesday�s snowstorm opened a treasure chest of American history. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Tree-removal crews make revolutionary discovery Plaque under fallen tree reveals possible link to George Washington Mail Tribune A large elm tree in Medford's Alba Park fell Wednesday night beneath the weight of heavy snows, revealing a window to America's past. When cleaning up the fallen tree as it lay across Ivy Street, city crews discovered lodged under the roots a plaque reading "Scion of the Washington Elm." Pete Young, parks and recreation department project coordinator, said Washington elms are a historical species with alleged connections to the nation's first commander-in-chief. They're growing all around the country. "There was a big deal made of those trees," he said. Advertisement According to records at the Southern Oregon Historical Society, the tree that fell Wednesday was planted in Alba Park in 1932 by the Crater Lake Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A publication by DAR says the famous Washington elm came from a scion, or plant shoot, of the tree under which Gen. George Washington first assumed command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775, in Cambridge, Mass. Whether the story of Washington assuming command under a particular elm tree is true or made up is much debated. According to the city of Cambridge Web site, the popular legend became part of American popular culture as early as the 1830s. The story was made famous during the centennial year of 1876, with the publication of a fictitious "eyewitness" journal, "The Diary of Dorothy Dudley." The tree itself was indeed real and stood in the middle of Garden Street at the intersection of Mason Street. In 1923, the diseased and very fragile trunk was accidently pulled over by a city worker. Washington did take command of the army in Cambridge on July 3, 1775, but there is no documentation to indicate that the event took place under the elm tree, the Web site states. Young said he doesn't have proof Washington took command under the particular tree, but nonetheless the tree has an interesting history. He said it's possible samples were taken from the tree in Cambridge and grafted onto others, including the fallen tree in Alba park. The parks department is taking some branches from the tree to try to graft it onto other trees. "We could start that process all over," he said. As to how the plaque came to be beneath the roots, parks staff have speculated that the tree grew around the plaque, or dirt was pushed on top of it in the building of city streets, or that as the tree grew it leaned to the side and a gap was created and the plaque slid down under the roots. Young said the trees in Alba Park are reaching the end of their lives and several have fallen or been removed. "They're all at their prime," he said. "They're each succumbing to something." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help