Common Name: American sycamore
Scientific Name: Platanus occidentalis
Category: Historic tree
Comments: The third Princess Anne County Courthouse was built here (Ferry Plantation) in 1735 and was used until 1751, and this same building was later incorporated as the out kitchen building for the Walke Manor Home. The courthouse building is currently a room for the rebuilt home of 1830 that stands today from the charred brick of the original Walke Manor Home. Records indicate this tree was utilized as the "Hanging Tree" and there were three slaves that were hung here according to the Walke Manor House documents. The original Walke Manor House records tell us there were 83 slaves used on this property. This 1751 home was destroyed by fire in 1828. Prior to 1966 a lightening strike took off the top 15 feet of this American Sycamore. The lightening traveled down the heart of the tree and hollowed out the cavity in the base of the tree as seen from this photo. The tree still survives today.
Nominator: Belinda Nash
This tree is not on public or publicly accessible property. The owner's name, address, and the exact location of the tree are not displayed to protect the privacy of these individuals. If you are the owner and wish to make this information public, please let us know.
County/City: Virginia Beach