Documenting the American South

Doc South header logo Home
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes banner

Source:  Dwight D. Eisenhower Green Ash Memorial Tree, Red Springs. Photo courtesy of Rusty Long

  • Monument Name

    Dwight D. Eisenhower Green Ash Memorial Tree, Red Springs

  • Type

    Public Space

  • Subjects

    World War II

    Historic Political Figures

    Historic Military Figures

  • City

    Red Springs

  • County

    Robeson

  • Description

    This green ash tree (fraxinus pennsylvanica) is a direct descendant of a tree growing at the birth place of President Eisenhower in Dennison, Texas. In 2001-2002, thousands of green ash trees were planted in parks, community areas, and at war memorials as a tribute to WWII veterans. A small granite marker with the dedication inscription is near the trunk.

    Images: Granite plaque

  • Inscription

    DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER GREEN ASH / PLANTED IN HONOR OF / VETERANS OF WWII / MAY 28, 2001 / IN OUR HEARTS AND MEMORY FOREVER / V.F.W. POST 11278 / COMMANDER DOUG LEE / CHAPLIN JOSEPH HAYES / QUARTERMASTER JAMES EARL FERGUSON / TRUSTEE LESTER WILLIAMS

  • Custodian

    Town of Red Springs

  • Dedication Date

    May 28, 2001

  • Decade

    2000s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    34.814420 , -79.182750 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      "Dwight D. Eisenhower Ash Freedom Memorial Tree," The National War Memorial Registry, http://www.nationalwarmemorialregistry.org, (accessed February 3, 2016) Link

      “The Official Tree of World War II,” American Grove, http://thegrove.americangrove.org (accessed January 27, 2016) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Green Ash tree, granite

  • Sponsors

    Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11278

  • Subject Notes

    The first Eisenhower Green Ash Memorial Tree was planted at the French Embassy in Washington D.C. in 2000. The tree honored Dwight D. Eisenhower, the U.S president who planned and commanded the Normandy invasion during World War II. Inspired by the planting at the French Embassy, Scotts Company and Wal-Mart teamed up with the VFW Foundation, and American Forests to pay tribute to World War II veterans by planting living monuments in an initiative called Operation Silent Witness. Between Memorial Day (May 28th) and D-Day (June 6th), in 2001, thousands of green ash trees were planted by VFW Posts and at the Wal-Mart Headquarters, the Bush Presidential Library, and other locations.

  • Location

    The Dwight D. Eisenhower Green Ash Memorial Tree is located in front of the Red Springs town hall on South Main Street. It is just to the right and behind of the Red Springs War Memorial and James Dougald McRacken bust that are near the walkway leading to the entrance of town hall.

  • Landscape

    The green ash tree is planted on the front grassy lawn of the town hall.

Icon for reporting missing/incorrect information Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.