Abe Lincoln's Home Gets A New Elm Tree

On April 5th of 2006, I had the privilege of covering the replacement of the elm tree in front of Abe Lincoln's home. This is something that I was not aware they did. According to the press release given to me that day, "A younger and smaller tree American Elm (Ulmus americana) tree," was planted "in front of the Lincoln Home..." The Superintendent, James A. Sanders announced that the old tree, that had outgrown its role, was removed and replaced with the 8 foot tall new tree which happens to be the same species that Abe Lincoln planted back before 1860.

Here is a little history taken from the press release:

"Mr. Lincoln planted an elm tree in front of his house and it appears in two photographs taken in 1860, as well as in many photographs taken at the time of President Lincoln's funeral in May 1865. At the time of the National Park Service's restoration of the home (1987-1988), it was decided to plant a young elm to replicate the one seen in the 1860's photographs. Since then, the tree is replaced and relocated when it grows beyond the size as it appeared in the 1860-61 photographs. Dr. Charles H. Ware of the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, has provided the replacement elm trees. The National Park Service intends to continue to replace the elm tree in front of the Lincoln Home as needed, so that an American elm will always be located where Mr. Lincoln planted one nearly 150 years ago. This year will be the fifth time the tree has been replaced since 1988."



Image: Photograph taken in 1860 by Boston photographer John Adams Whipple showing the tree in front of the Home.



Image: House without the tree.


Image: Robyn Schroeder holding a photo of the house in 1860 next to site


Image: Vee Pollock dumping sand in preparation for tree planting


Image: Vee Pollock using survey equipment to set the grade for the bricks


Image: The new tree arrives


Image: James Sanders is Superintendent and Illinois State Coordinator and Vee Pollock discusses tree orientation


Image:Tom Pacha, Bob Trentor and Vee Pollock get ready to plant the tree


Image: Bob Trentor is having fun.

Image: The hole is dug


Image: The tree is planted


Image: House with the new tree.


Image: The old tree is planted on the corner of 9th and Capital.


I would like to thank the National Park Service as well as James Sanders, Vee Pollock, Bob Trentor, Tom Pacha and Robyn Schroeder for allowing me to be a part of this historical event and posing for the photos that I took.