George Washington Memorial Tree – Alexandria, Virginia - Atlas Obscura
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George Washington Memorial Tree

Alexandria, Virginia

In 1932, Americans honored their first president's 200th birthday by planting trees. 

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George Washington Memorial Tree blimpcaptain (Atlas Obscura User)
A biker passing by on the GW Memorial Parkway trail. A Bear (Atlas Obscura User)
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Along the George Washington Parkway, a 25-mile scenic drive between Mount Vernon and Alexandria, Virginia, has a lonely tree dedicated to George Washington.

The tree was planted in 1932 to celebrate the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth in 1732. It was part of a larger effort to celebrate the first president’s birthday through trees, organized by the American Tree Association.  The organization distributed a book titled “George Washington Bi-Centennial Tree Planting” with instructions for planting successful memorial trees. It was a success, and a number of memorial tree-planting events were held all over the country.

This particular bicentennial memorial tree is located just a few miles from George Washington’s former home of Mount Vernon.

Know Before You Go

No close parking but a walk along the Mount Vernon Trail will lead you right past the tree!

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