A Sad Visit to Gettysburg

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

Today I was able to get onto the Gettysburg Battlefield for the first time since March 12. I was saddened to see that we have lost a witness tree. The big oak near Reynolds Death Marker is now nothing more than a big stump. All last summer it looked to be to be a fine, healthy tree, but as you can see in the photos there seems to have been something going on at its core. Not far away is another witness tree, which has been looked a bit unwell for the past two years. This year I do not see any leaves at all, so perhaps that one will be gone soon too. It is sad that these living witnesses to the battle cannot stay with us, but time continues to march along.

 

[Tom Elmore]

I have a piece of the "Reynolds" tree, a white oak with a carved "R" to denote the spot where he fell. It was uprooted by a tornado in 1987 and cut up for souvenirs by the The Gettysburg Civil War Round Table with permission from GNMP. I have piece #372, still a proud possession.

 

[pamc153PA]

That's a real shame. I used to like all of its knobby "knees." I wonder if that tree had a metal tag—I'm pretty sure the other one you mentioned does, or used to several years ago.

 

[donna]

It is sad to see so many old trees go.

 

[infomanpa]

The downed tree from last summer:

 

[lupaglupa]

Oh what a shame. All old trees are special, but this seems even more so. I assume the NPS thought it was a safety issue

 

[demoderbydrvr]

I'm next to those trees and the former one right now, the two there do still have nails and the smaller (and now only living) tree has it's tag. You can also see where it's remains were placed right behind the monument by the trail! I'd love to use its mulch for my front yard, but I've left it alone

 

[major bill]

We were there in January. My wife wanted to see John Reynolds' statue and his monument. This cause us to take a two days detour on or drive home to Michigan from Florida. We still enjoy our day and a half in Gettysburg.

 

[Tom Hughes]

These ancient witness trees are like "living relics" in a way.

 

[byron ed]

"Old Battle Trees Never Die, They Just......well, ok they die."

Isn't there at least an opportunity to make a little money for the park, to sell inscribed pieces of this tree as souvenirs, anything from key fobs to rustic garden bench ends?* I'd pay $20. for a certified CW witness tree key fob, wouldn't you? Thank You incentives for NPS or Gettysburg Foundation givers? I suppose the National and State DNR "do not transport cut wood across state lines" is the thing that kills this idea.

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*repro CW musket stocks? Isn't white oak a viable switch for walnut in a gun stock?

 

[Mrs. V]

"Old Battle Trees Never Die, They Just......well, ok they die."

Isn't there at least an opportunity to make a little money for the park, to sell inscribed pieces of this tree as souvenirs, anything from key fobs to rustic garden bench ends?* I'd pay $20. for a certified CW witness tree key fob, wouldn't you? Thank You incentives for NPS or Gettysburg Foundation givers? I suppose the National and State DNR "do not transport cut wood across state lines" is the thing that kills this idea.

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*repro CW musket stocks? Isn't white oak a viable switch for walnut in a gun stock?

Sell slivers, in a glass vial that could be used as a watch fob, or pendant.

 

[byron ed]

Sell slivers, in a glass vial that could be used as a watch fob, or pendant.

(we should probably mention that this site does not condone the unauthorized removal of any sort of material from battlefield sites).

 

[Kurt G]

I know they used to sell walking sticks made out of witness trees at the gift shop at the Gettysburg Visitor's Center .

 

[Waterloo50]

Today I was able to get onto the Gettysburg Battlefield for the first time since March 12. I was saddened to see that we have lost a witness tree. The big oak near Reynolds Death Marker is now nothing more than a big stump. All last summer it looked to be to be a fine, healthy tree, but as you can see in the photos there seems to have been something going on at its core. Not far away is another witness tree, which has been looked a bit unwell for the past two years. This year I do not see any leaves at all, so perhaps that one will be gone soon too. It is sad that these living witnesses to the battle cannot stay with us, but time continues to march along.

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Thats seriously very sad. I hope that they can make some money from the tree, perhaps use the cash from the sales for other Much needed preservation work.

 

[Kurt G]

From what I can find the park sells these to other parties who then make pens , walking sticks , etc . for sale .

 

[Forks of the Ohio]

I know they used to sell walking sticks made out of witness trees at the gift shop at the Gettysburg Visitor's Center .

I grew up in the same county as what eventually became the Flight 93 NPS site in Pennsylvania. When I visited the Flight 93 visitor's center last autumn, I saw walking sticks for sale. I don't remember what the marketing material that accompanied the sticks said, but I wouldn't be surprised if the ones that I saw on this trip were such as you describe.

 

[NFB22]

While a shame, its nature taking it's course. I must say though, its incredible that 150+ years later we have sacred trees that stood watch over battles from Gettysburg and Antietam to Tupelo and Shiloh still standing guard. Think about that, people come and go but these trees have seen it all. Some even have the scars. Same as buildings.

While stationed in Norfolk, VA I saw a church with a cannonball still lodged in it fired by British ships during the bombardment of Norfolk during the American Revolution. If these objects had eyes and voices....the stories they could tell. Its intriguing, especially when you you can see said trees or structures in period photos or drawings.