Location: Northern Arizona University Campus Old Main Front Flagstaff, Coconino County, Arizona 35.192460, -111.656098 Historical Significance: This specimen American elm witnessed Arizona's statehood from afar, while it was still attached to the American elm tree that George Washington stood under in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1775 when he took command of the Continental Army at the beginning of the American Revolution.
Cuttings were taken of the Cambridge American elm and sent around the country. This particular shoot was planted in Flagstaff on the campus of Northern Arizona University (NAU) on April 22, 1931, in front of Old Main.
Its livelihood is under the watchful eye of the Coconino Chapter, NSDAR, who have taken measures to ensure its preservation and propagation through a partnership with NAU botanists. Along with preservation, they hope to use cuttings from the tree to re-introduce the species after the devastating Dutch elm disease epidemic of the past.
This witness tree signifies the link between Arizona’s statehood and the Republic.