Salt Creek Recreation Area in Port Angeles in Clallam County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
History of the "Herbie" Tree
Courtesy of Michael Trebert Chapter HODAR, Scot Friesen., July 10, 2026
1. Herbie Liberty Tree Elm Marker
As part of the American Elm Heritage Project celebrating America's Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of America's Declaration of Independence, the Michael Trebert Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is proud to gift an authentic American Elm Tree, a clone of the original "Herbie" tree, to Clallam County's Salt Creek Recreation Area.
"Herbie", a historic Elm in Yarmouth, Maine, affectionately named by local children, stood for 217 years (1793 to 2010), as the oldest and largest of its kind in New England (110 feet tall, 20 feet in circumference). It survived hurricanes, harsh winter weather, and Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma ulmi). After more than two centuries, it finally succumbed to severe storm damage. Cloning effects preserved its genetics, yielding more than 1,500 disease-resistant copies by 2020.
American Elms (Ulmus americana), planted since 1646, often served as sites for patriotic gatherings. The most famous Elm was Boston's Liberty Tree, an enduring symbol of liberty, depicted with George Washington standing beneath it. The American Elm Heritage Project,
this page online
Thanks to:
The Michael Trebert Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Sitkum Tree Service, Crescent Bay and Port Angeles Lions Clubs, Allform Welding, Clallam County Board of County Commissioners—Mark Ozias, District 1, Randy Johnson, District 2, and Mike French, District 3, County Administrator—Todd Mielke, and Clallam County Parks, Fair, & Facilities.
Erected 2026 by Michael Trebert Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Clallam County Commissioners.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Environment • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the America 250, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Historic Trees
Courtesy of Michael Trebert Chapter HODAR, Scot Friesen., July 10, 2026
2. Herbie Liberty Tree Elm Marker
Location. 48° 9.54′ N, 123° 41.985′ W. Memorial is in Port Angeles, Washington, in Clallam County. It is in the Salt Creek Recreation Area. It is on Camp Hayden Road. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 3506 Camp Hayden Road, Port Angeles WA 98363, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the Olympic Peninsula. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Juan de Fuca (approx. 8.7 miles away).
More about this memorial. Dedicated July 10, 2026
Regarding History of the "Herbie" Tree. This 4-foot Liberty Tree is a direct descendant of the historic “Herbie” Elm of Yarmouth, Maine — an iconic tree that stood for more than two centuries and is closely tied to America’s Revolutionary era. According to a press
Courtesy of Michael Trebert Chapter HODAR, Scot Friesen.
3. Herbie Elm Marker
The Michael Trebert Chapter has worked to acquire and distribute these special Liberty Tree clones through the Liberty Tree Society, ensuring that pieces of living history are shared with local communities. America 250 Commemoration: In honor of America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, the chapter is gifting eight 4-foot Liberty Elm trees—descendants of the legendary “Herbie” Elm to local communities.
Additional keywords. WSSDAR
Courtesy of Michael Trebert Chapter HODAR, Scot Friesen.
4. Herbie planting group
Courtesy of Michael Trebert Chapter HODAR, Scot Friesen.
5. Planting the tree
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 32 times since then. Last updated on October 13, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 5, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
