History hike
The original Mother’s Tree was planted 100 years ago to honor mothers everywhere
It’s a Berks County gem that’s hidden in plain sight.
Sitting along the banks of Antietam Lake, it’s visible to drivers passing by on Angora Road. Its whitebark-branches stretch toward the sky, its trunk surrounded by a black iron fence.
It’s likely something that many people don’t give a second thought. It’s just a tree, they might think, nothing out of the ordinary for the grounds of Antietam Park.
But the white birch isn’t just any old tree. It’s something special.
It’s the Mother’s Tree. On May 13, a group of about 20 people got a chance to learn about the first tree and how it sparked a national movement during a hike designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its planting.
The hike was led by Dan Roe, historic resource supervisor for the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department. He explained to those gathered around the tree that the white birch they see today was actually planted in 2014 — making it the third Mother’s Tree to be planted on that site.
But it carries on a legacy that began way back in 1923 when Solan Parkes, a member of the Berks County Conservation Association, decided to plant
a white birch tree to honor the memory of his beloved mother who had passed away.
“It was said that he chose the white birch because its white flowers represented the virtue of his mother and the long branches represented her protection,” Roe said.
That initial planting set off a national movement.
Parkes partnered with the American Forestry Association to bring attention to his symbolic tribute in the hope that it would be replicated in communities across the country. Roe said the effort paid off.
“It became very popular,” he said.
By the following spring the movement had made its way to the White House.
President Calvin Coolidge decided to take part by planting a white birch tree on the White House lawn in 1924 to honor the mothers of presidents. Congress followed in suit and planted a tree on Capitol Building grounds to honor all mothers. And, in 1932, the American Gold Star Mothers planted a white birch in Arlington
National Cemetery to honor the mother of the Unknown Soldier.
Roe said the original shovel used in some of those plantings is on display at the Bingaman Nature Center.
An annual celebration marking the original planting of the Mother’s Tree at Antietam Lake was held until the start of World War II, Roe said. During those events, he said it was common to see the tree adorned with white ribbons to honor mothers who had passed away and pink ribbons to honor mothers who were still living.
The history of the Mother’s Tree was new to many of those on the hike.
Barbara Covey of Bernville said she was excited to learn about something that she never even knew existed.
“I never even heard about the tree before,” she said. “So when I saw they were holding this hike I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn about
something new while getting a little exercise.”
Michelle Horn of Lower Alsace Township knew the tree existed but she had no idea that it once set off a national movement. Horn said she and her two children have hiked the trails at the park many times over the years, but never knew the story behind the tree.
“I’ve heard about it but I didn’t really know about it,” she said. “I thought this would be a nice thing to do today because we never really learned about the history of the park. I was interested in learning more so I dragged them with me.”
Her children, Lucy Koons and Nathan Horn, said they didn’t need much convincing to get them there. They both said they were happy to tag along.
“I haven’t been on this trail for quite some time so I thought it would be a fun thing that we could all do together,” 20-year-old Koons said.