HISTORIC TREES OF WASHINGTON 



^71 



adopted for improvement was the con- 

 struction of an oval mound in the cen- 

 ter, intended to form the site of a co- 

 lossal statue of the martyred President, 

 Abraham Lincoln, which at that time it 

 was proposed to place there. This 

 oriental plane tree was then bare 

 stemmed, with a few small branches 

 near the top about eight feet from the 

 original ground surface. The mound 



was made around the tree, but from 

 this bare stem roots were speedily sent 

 out, and the tree commenced a vigorous 

 growth of phenomenal rapidity and 

 luxuriance, which has continued until 

 the present time. It is now over seven- 

 ty feet high with a nearly equal spread 

 of branches, and is regarded by many 

 as the most highly ornamental tree in 

 the park. 



The Capitol is but a^fitting background for the display of its surrounding?parklng 



