Civil War Memorial to Honor Dead with 620,000 Trees

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An unprecedented and unique memorial is taking shape to honor the American Civil War with the planting of over half a million trees.

The nonprofit Living Legacy Project has endeavored to plant 620,000 trees, representing an estimate of the soldiers who succumbed to battle during the war that ravaged from 1861-1865. The $65 million project will plant trees on public and private property, at Gettysburg and Monticello, and at sites unrelated to the Civil War too; highlighting a stretch of 180 miles through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.

It will run through 13 national parks in an area that features heritage sites honoring Native Americans and African Americans, as well as nine presidential homes and the largest concentration of civil war battlegrounds.

A variety of trees are being employed, with some seasonal ones featuring a red color scheme to represent bravery and sacrifice. Red maple, red cedar, and red oak, as well as apple trees and dogwood, will be planted.

So far the project is in the early stages, with only about 2,000 trees in the ground. Another 8,000 will be planted next year, but as the 150th anniversary of the end of the war passes, organizers are eyeing another milestone on the horizon.

“What I personally envision is 50 years from now, when this country commemorates its bicentennial of the Civil War, these trees will be in full bloom,” said Shaun Butcher, spokesman for the project. “Future generations can visit this region and see that there is a national memorial for the Civil War fallen.”

While poorly kept records will never allow us to know a more precise death toll, this undertaking carries plenty of weight. Upon completion, the project will be the largest man-made pathway of trees in the world.

Donations are being accepted from businesses and individuals. The project is seeking $100 per tree with the opportunity to honor a specific fallen soldier with each planting.

For more information, check out their site at HallowedGround.org.