The following text about this tulip poplar and the Millenium Landmark Tree project is from the
America the Beautiful Fund initiated the Millennium Landmark Tree project in the year 2000, with the goal of designating one historic tree in each of the 50 states for preservation in the new Millennium.
This program was supported by a grant from the US Forest Service as part of the White House Millennium Green Initiative. Individuals and their communities were encouraged to seek out the history of the trees in their area, and send a letter describing the type of tree they would like to nominate as well as any historical information pertaining to the tree.
The program was extremely successful in awakening public interest in preserving and protecting these Landmark Trees, which have stood witness to the historic growth of our country.
Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, has a tulip poplar that predates the building of Monticello and Jefferson referred to as the “Juno of my garden.” It inspired him to plant trees from all over the world on his farm.