Bush butternut tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bush butternut |
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|---|---|
| Species | Butternut (Juglans cinerea) |
| Location | Tumwater, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°58′05″N 122°52′55″W / 46.96806°N 122.88194°W |
| Date seeded | 1845 (planted) |
| Custodian | Ray Gleason (arborist) |
The Bush butternut tree is a very special and old tree located in Tumwater, Washington. It was planted way back in 1845 by a famous pioneer named George Bush. This tree is believed to be the oldest butternut tree in the entire United States, and maybe even the oldest one in the whole world!
Contents
Discovering the Bush Butternut Tree
The Bush butternut tree is a type of butternut tree. It is known for its age and its connection to early American history. Experts are still discussing if George Bush brought a seed or a small plant with him from Missouri. He traveled all the way to the Puget Sound region, which was then part of Oregon Country.
Who Planted This Amazing Tree?
The Bush butternut tree was planted in 1845 by George Bush. He was an African-American veteran who fought in the War of 1812. After the war, he became a pioneer, which means he was one of the first people to settle in a new area. George Bush helped found the city of Tumwater in Washington. His story is an important part of the history of the American West.
Where Does the Tree Live?
The original Bush butternut tree still stands today. It is on what used to be George Bush's family farm. This land is now called Bush Prairie Farm. It is also a land trust, which means the land is protected for future generations. The tree is located near the Olympia Airport in Washington State.
The Tree's Family: New Plantings
The original Bush butternut tree has some "children" trees! These new trees were grown from seeds of the old tree.
- In 2009, a new tree was planted on the Washington State Capitol campus in Olympia, Washington. This is where the state government buildings are located.
- Another tree was planted at Washington State University in Eastern Washington in 2014.
- A third tree was planted in Centralia, Washington, in 2017. This planting honored two important figures. One was George Washington, another African-American settler who founded Centralia. The other was President George Washington, for whom the state is named.
