Takoma Park in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"The Presidents Tree"
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2014
1. "The Presidents Tree" Marker
Dedicated April 26, 1948 as a living memorial to the men who "Gave their last full measure of devotion to their county" in the War, 1861-1865.
The unique inscriptions on this American Beech Tree were carved by the nimble finger of Samuel M'Closky Fenton, a young farmer living in this area during the Civil War period.
This tree contains more than 450 carefully formed characters including the names of presidents from Washington to Johnson, also Lt. General U.S. Grant and a Lincoln word square. The tree was enclosed in 1948 by the Maryland - National Capital Park and Planning Commission to protect it for posterity.
Erected 1960 by The Maryland - National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Montgomery Parks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 1935.
Location. 38° 59.138′ N, 77° 0.231′ W. Memorial is in Takoma Park, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from the intersection of Maple Avenue and Sligo Creek Parkway. The marker is
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. 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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sligo Creek Waterworks (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington Adventist University Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Carroll Avenue Bridge (approx. Ό mile away); Heffner Park and Community Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Memory of Sgt. Christopher Thornton (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Lee Jordan Field (approx. half a mile away); Lee Jordan (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2014
2. "The Presidents Tree" Marker
The gate of the protective fence was badly damaged when the tree fell in 1997.
Regarding "The Presidents Tree". The beech tree died "of old age" in the 1990s and blew down in a storm in 1997. Today the iron fence is occupied by a dogwood tree surrounded by low juniper bushes.
Also see . . . The Presidents' Tree. Friends of Sligo Creek website entry:
by Dorothy Cleaveland Salisbury, read at the dedication of the Presidents' Tree, April 26, 1948. (Submitted on May 18, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2014
3. Neighborhood Peace Garden
Dedicated
To the wounded and fallen in Iraq
"The opposite of war is not peace, it's creation"
--Jonathan Larson
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,579 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
