Near Mount Vernon in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Forest

Photographed By Connor Olson, March 22, 2022

1. Forest Marker

Inscription. "It is always in one's power to cut a tree down, but time only can place them where one would have them, after the ground is stripped…”
George Washington letter to his manager, Jan. 25, 1795

As holds true today, much of the area surrounding Mount Vernon in Washington's time was woodland. Over half of his 8,000-acre estate was forested. Oak, pine and locust were harvested for the construction of buildings. Tremendous amounts of firewood fueled more than 30 fireplaces on the Mansion House Farm alone. Despite an apparent abundance of timber, Washington caraged its use. He repeatedly demanded that fallen trees be collected for firewood, and he planted live hedges of holly and cedar in hopes of replacing wooden fences.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical date for this entry is January 25, 1795.

Location. 38° 42.429′ N, 77° 5.36′ W. Marker is near Mount Vernon, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235) and George Washington Memorial Parkway, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon VA 22121, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fruit Garden and Nursery (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this marker); Seed Beds (within shouting distance of this marker); Nursery Beds (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Slave Memorial (about 300 feet away); In Memory of the Many Faithful Colored Servants of the Washington Family (about 400 feet away); Mount Vernon's Slave Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Fruit Garden (about 400 feet away).

Also see . . . George Washington's Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (Submitted on March 30, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2022, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 7 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 28, 2022, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?