Charter Oak, Historic white oak tree in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Charter Oak was an old white oak that grew on Wyllys Hill in Hartford, with a trunk circumference of over 33 feet (10 meters). Its branches extended across an area of roughly 150 feet (45 meters), creating a broad, spreading crown.
In 1687, colonists hid the Connecticut Royal Charter inside the tree's hollow to prevent its seizure by British Governor Edmund Andros. This act became central to a local legend about resistance and the preservation of rights.
The oak symbolizes Connecticut's independence and appears on the state quarter, commemorative coins, and postal stamps. The tree's image continues to shape the state's identity today and is featured prominently at significant occasions.
The tree fell in 1856 and its wood was later crafted into chairs and a desk, now displayed at the Connecticut State Capitol. Visitors can view these items during tours of the Capitol and feel a direct connection to the original wood.
Several descendants of the original oak grow throughout Connecticut today, grown from acorns collected after the tree fell. These living connections to the original allow visitors to discover other trees from the same line at different places around the state.
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