Fallen White Mulberry Tree
About 1861, this white mulberry tree (morus alba) was planted across the carriage path from the large sycamore tree. The tree flourished for just under 150 years until an ice storm over this past winter (2012) caused the tree to collapse.
The National Park Service Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation and the Rhode Island School of Design Witness Tree Project have joined together at allow students to learn about United States History by creating items out of the hallowed wood of fallen trees. Wood from trees that grew at other presidential sites including George Washington’s birthplace and Theodore Roosevelt’s home has been used in Witness Tree design classes. Soon, the wood resting here will be cut, milled and put to creative use by RISD students.
Marker can be reached from Old Post Road, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
