Planting Symbols of Freedom
Since the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania committed to supporting the Liberty Tree Project in 2021, America250PA faced an unexpected challenge: acquiring enough propagated trees to plant. While six Liberty Trees had been planted by the end of 2023, plenty more were needed to cover all 67 counties in the Commonwealth.
The last of the original Liberty Trees, which stood on the grounds of St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD died in 1999. Francis “Champ” Zumbrun, a retired forester, takes care of a scion, or descendant, from that tree, gathers its seeds and takes them to the Maryland Forest Service for sprouting.
“Tulip poplars can get quite large and drop a lot of seeds, but most don’t sprout – only a few make it,” R.W. Deputy Grand Master Rob Brink explained. “He [Champ] learned that the seeds from the top of the tree are the best. Since the trees grow to over 100 feet tall, obtaining the “best” seeds requires getting a lift bucket to reach the top. Last year’s harvested seeds produced a lot of saplings.”
From the sapling stage, it takes about a year for the trees to be big enough to plant – approximately three feet tall. “They grow really fast if you keep them fed and watered,” Rob said.
Rob was ecstatic when Champ called him in early spring to offer 70 Liberty Tree saplings – enough for the remaining plantings throughout Pennsylvania.
There was only one challenge: the saplings had to be picked up in Flintstone, MD, and kept refrigerated so they would stay dormant and not sprout until they could be potted.
“One of the great things about this fraternity is that you can get anything done,” Rob said.
“I called a few brothers in western PA, and two were willing to do the whole drive.”
On March 27, Brother Jimmy Mayes, King Solomon’s Lodge No. 346, Connellsville, drove from Flintstone, MD, to Carlisle, PA, where Brother Henry Federowicz, P.D.D.G.M.-2, P.M., Robert Burns Lodge No. 464, Harrisburg, Aide to the Grand Master, took over the journey to Tilley’s Nursery in Coopersburg, PA. Tilley’s Nursery is owned by Brothers Tom and Rick Tilley, P.M., Saucon Lodge No. 469, Coopersburg, who are continued supporters of the Liberty Tree program.
Meanwhile, Rob put another call out to his local lodge brothers to help pot the trees at the nursery.
“If you need help and you ask, it’s amazing – your Masonic brothers will come,” he said.
“I got buckets and soil, and we were ready to go.”
On March 28, Brothers Steve Uhl; Don Edmonds, Jr., P.M.; and Rudy Gross, P.M., of Saucon Lodge No. 469, met at the nursery to help the staff pot the saplings.
Some of the Liberty Trees obtained last year were planted throughout the spring and summer, and more are planned for the fall.
