On top of the mountain near Montebello, Virginia stands the Landmark Tree. This White Oak has stood sentinel on this hill since the mid 17th century. The Landmark Tree has proven its strong and tenacious character as it has battled severe conditions for over three hundred years. Hurricane Camille dropped over 30 inches of rain in a few hours on the night of August 19, 1969, causing devastating damage to local communities and lives. The Landmark Tree has fought against the invasion of a small and mighty foe from abroad in the form of the Gypsy Moth.
It carries the scars of a lightning strike and has stood watch over the affairs of men, women, and children who have taken refuge under its spreading arms. The “Swing Tree” as some call it is an enormous spreading White Oak which dominates the mountain pasture it calls home. This tree measures 21 feet in circumference, has a height of nearly 80 feet and a limb spread of over 120 feet. The Swing Tree is a mighty tree by any calculation.
How the Tree got its Nickname
Just up the hill was a two-story frame house, a barn, and outbuildings built at the turn of the 20th century. For generations a family lived on this beautiful property. The air was often filled with the sound of children’s voices and laughter as they helped on the farm; feeding and caring for chickens, sheep, cattle, and hogs.
They were expected to do their work to a high standard and learned early on to do the job right the first time to avoid having to “lick the calf over again”. Once the work was done it was time for fun which often happened around the oak where forts and playhouses were built. They would bounce, hang and swing from one of the low growing limbs, referring to the tree as the “Swing Tree”.
A Witness of Our Nation’s History
One can only wonder about the history this tree has witnessed. Beginning from the first time it dug its roots into the rocky soil of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is evidence in the form of arrowheads and stone tools found on the property that Indians hunted here. What did the tree experience as the first European settlers forged their way into the backbone of the Colonies, the Blue Ridge? Some of these first migrants moved on but many stayed to build a life for themselves; farming, logging and raising families. Life was difficult but these strong folks made it work and the Swing Tree watched over it all.
The Swing Tree began life at the time of the founding of the College of William and Mary in 1693. It has witnessed the founding of a new nation and a new constitution in 1789. The volatile years when the constitution was tested in 1865, the Roaring ‘20’s, the Great Depression of the 30’s and two great world wars. It has seen the transformation of the horse and buggy to the automobile, manned flight and man breaking the bonds of this earth and going to the moon. To consider all that has happened over the course of the life of this one tree is staggering. Still, the tree stands and continues to thrive.
The Swing Tree Today
The tree still provides comfort to this day. It gives a wonderful place to enjoy a picnic or just to sit and reflect. Just over the hill is a small family cemetery providing a quiet final resting place for previous occupants of this land. This tree has seen births, weddings, family reunions, and the passing of mountain folk.
Trees bring much joy, comfort, and peace to our lives. They give us a sense of stability, strength, and longevity and a tree like this causes us to reflect upon and enjoy our memories.
Reflections for this article were provided by Martha and Henry Black of Stuarts Draft. Martha grew up in the shadow of this great tree.