Near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Arched Tree

— Greensprings Interpretive Trail —

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

1. Arched Tree Marker

Inscription. What caused this maple tree to grow this way? During an ice storm around 1990, the weight of the ice caused it to lean over. Little by little, the original treetop rots away while new tops are sprouted. As you can see, one sprout (or sucker) is becoming dominant and will eventually become the new top. How can we tell when it happened? By looking at the size of the dominant sucker, we can estimate the exact time of the ice storm by counting the growth rings. Come back every year to see what happens next.

Erected by James City County Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1990.

Location. 37° 14.849′ N, 76° 47.261′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. It can be reached from John Tyler Highway east of Greensprings Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the Greensprings Interpretive Trail. The address given is for Jamestown High School, which includes the northern trailhead and parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3751 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg

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VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Geological Facts (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Powhatan Creek Watershed (about 400 feet away); First English Settlement at Jamestown (about 400 feet away); The New World Beckons (about 400 feet away); The Virginia Wilderness (about 500 feet away); Ephemeral Streams (about 600 feet away); Fallen Tree (about 600 feet away); Wetlands of the Greensprings Greenway (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

2. Arched Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.