A sapling descended from the historic “Liberty Tree” under which patriots gathered in revolutionary Annapolis has been planted on the grounds of the Maryland State House.
The 400-year-old tulip poplar from which it was cloned was felled by a hurricane in 1999, and with it perished the last remaining of the original 13 liberty trees, the Annapolis Capital reported Monday.
“It is said that the Declaration of Independence was read under the original Annapolis Liberty Tree, giving it a unique place in our nation’s history,” said Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, who was on hand Monday for a dedication ceremony, the Capital reported. “The original Annapolis Liberty Tree is a living monument and through this sapling, the Liberty Tree will live on.”
Besides the State House sapling, 19 others were cloned from the tree, 14 of which have been sent out to other states, with the rest to be distributed this summer, the Capital said.
Visitors to the State House can find the newly planted tree in the northeastern sector of the capitol’s ground, standing opposite of Harry Browne’s. And with a growth rate of around two feet per year in its early life, a visitors in a few years time should be able to enjoy its shade.
“They grow tall and they grow fast,” said Steven Fisher, a board member of the nonprofit group Providence Forum, which spearheaded the efforts to plant the sapling. “Even though it’s small, you’ll see it grow.”
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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