HISTORIC TREES OF WASHINGTON 



273 



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 moun 1 



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 parking 



