A tree at George Washington’s Mount Vernon – said to be planted by the first president himself – was knocked down Friday by the powerful nor'easter that struck the U.S.
“Today at Mount Vernon, strong winds brought down a 227-year-old Canadian Hemlock, as well as a Virginia Cedar that stood watch over Washington’s tomb for many years,” the historical landmark posted on Facebook.
Mount Vernon was the location of George Washington’s plantation along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The tree was planted by Washington in 1791, according to the estate’s director of horticulture. It was the site’s “best documented tree on the property arriving in a half whiskey barrel” from New York's then-governor, George Clinton.
Mount Vernon’s senior vice president of visitor engagement, Rob Shenk, tweeted that while “The DC area lost a lot of #trees yesterday” there were “maybe none more significant than this 1791 Canadian Hemlock.” Shenk said “George Washington himself likely knew” of the tree.
The massive storm hit the Northeast Friday, with wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph, knocking out power to more than 500,000 customers.
File photo of the main building at Mount Vernon 
Friday's major winter storm over the northeastern United States claimed a 227-year-old tree on the estate of the first US President , , in .  As of yesterday, officials overseeing the Mount Vernon estate indicated the  has been collected for preservation and special projects.

The hemlock, planted in 1791, was toppled by the gusts reportedly up to 70  (about 110 ) on Friday.

Mount Vernon was Washington's personal estate, where he conducted most of his two presidential terms between 1789–1797 because the initial White House was not completed yet. According to Mount Vernon officials, the hemlock is the best documented tree at the estate, sent by New York Governor  as a gift delivered in a whisky barrel. The New York governor is not related to the 42nd President , however George Clinton would later become the United States's Vice President under the  and  administrations between 1805–1812. 

Other US historic trees recently fallen include the seventh President 's  at the White House and the   in California's  known for the car-sized tunnel cut into the trunk.


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