Maryland Department of General Services Celebrates Planting of Liberty Tree Sapling on Maryland State House Grounds

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) was today joined by Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford to celebrate the planting of a sapling cultivated from the original Annapolis Liberty Tree at the tree’s ceremonial mulching. The original Annapolis Liberty Tree, previously rooted on the grounds of St. John’s College, was a 96-foot Tulip Poplar that was eventually felled after Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

The STIHL Tour des Trees, a charity bike ride, provided the sapling to Annapolis on July 31. The tour is an annual community outreach and fundraising event benefiting Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund. This year the Tour des Trees is partnered with the Providence Forum that runs the Liberty Tree Project to plant trees along the bike routes.

“It is said that the Declaration of Independence was read under the original Annapolis Liberty Tree, giving it a unique place in our nation’s history,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “The original Annapolis Liberty Tree is a living monument and through this sapling, the Liberty Tree will live on.”

“This sapling and its historical significance will be a great addition to the State House grounds,” said DGS Secretary Ellington Churchill. “We hope this tree will serve as an attraction to Marylanders, as well as visitors for centuries to come.”

The Annapolis Liberty Tree sapling was planted between the State House and the Old Treasury Building to replace a young Elm Tree that was not thriving. It is estimated that the original Annapolis Liberty tree was around 400 years old.

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About DGS: The Department of General Services is responsible for essential services and programs administered on behalf of the state, including procuring goods and services; designing, building, leasing, managing and maintaining facilities; leading energy conservation efforts; and providing essential services such as fuel management, disposition of surplus property and records management. The Department of General Services Maryland Capitol Police maintains safety and security at state buildings.