Derry Township near Hershey in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kinderhaus “Climbing Tree”

Chinese chestnut (Castanea molassima)

Photographed By Don Morfe, May 31, 2015

1. Kinderhaus “Climbing Tree” Marker

Inscription. Though the Milton Hershey School campus is graced by a number of magnificent trees, one of the oldest and most meaningful to generations of HIS/MHS students might be this Chinese chestnut. Known informally as the “climbing tree) for low-hanging and widespread branches, the tree is marked by an unmistakable “earthy aroma” emanating from its canopy, which is covered in clusters of long soft tendrils each spring. The series of branches extending horizontally almost from the base made it an excellent tree for climbing (if students could get away with it) for those boys and girls who made Kinderhaus their home.

As one of the oldest and largest trees on campus, the tree was becoming a victim of its own size. To save the tree from certain loss, arborists added permanent bracing and cabling to the tree in 2013. To help pull together the crack in the base, the tree has been outfitted with three one-inch thick pieces of threaded rod. To help support the weight of the tree and draw it together, nine cables also have been anchored to some of the widest spans.

Milton Hershey once said “There is not a person alive who should not plant a tree---not for the shade that you’ll enjoy, but for those who are coming after.” Planted during Mr. Hershey’s lifetime the Kinderhaus Climbing Tree continues to provide shade

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and enjoyment for us today.

Erected by Department of School History-Spartans.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2013.

Location. 40° 16.502′ N, 76° 37.585′ W. Marker is near Hershey, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Derry Township. Marker is at the intersection of East Governor Road (U.S. 322) and Meadow Lane on East Governor Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 625 Meadow Ln, Hershey PA 17033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Milton Hershey School (within shouting distance of this marker); Kinderhaus Canna Bed (within shouting distance of this marker); The Homestead (approx. 0.3 miles away); Milton S. Hershey (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wildlife Habitat Enhancement (approx. 0.9 miles away); Pennsylvania State Police (approx. 1.1 miles away); Derry Churchyard (approx. 1.2 miles away); Hershey (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hershey.

Kinderhaus “Climbing Tree” image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, May 31, 2015

2. Kinderhaus “Climbing Tree”

Banner-Milton Hershey School Founded 1909 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, May 31, 2015

3. Banner-Milton Hershey School Founded 1909

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 291 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.