Ellwood Catalpa Tree

Ellwood. Catalpa in ForegroundThe venerable Ellwood Catalpa was a giant of a tree, both in size and in what it witnessed over the last 170 years or so. Although never formally dated, the tree is believed to have been planted in the early to mid-ninteenth century on the lawn of Ellwood. Ellwood overlooked the Wilderness Run valley of Spotsylvania and Orange Counties, Virginia. It watched the building of the house and the daily and seasonal rhythms of plantation life.

William Jones, the builder of Ellwood, was a very social man and opened his home to America’s founding fathers. He hosted James Madison, James Monroe, “Light Horse” Harry Lee and the Marquis de Lafayette, all of whom arrived for a meal or a several-night stay via the carriage entrance. The Catalpa stood next to this access road. Equidistant from Fredericksburg, Orange and Culpeper, Ellwood was the perfect layover for those traveling by private coach.
Ellwood Catalpa Tree blown over in storm
In the 1860’s the tree witnessed visitors of a different nature. On the morning of May 3rd, 1863, it watched the Reverend Tucker Lacy sadly convey the amputated arm of General “Stonewall” Jackson to the Ellwood family cemetery for burial. War had arrived. From May until November of 1863, doctors treated wounded Confederate soldiers at the house following the Battle of Chancellorsville. The Catalpa heard the moans and saw the men being transferred, interred, or visited by family and friends. General Robert E. Lee was one of those visitors. A year later Ellwood became Union headquarters during the Battle of the Wilderness. Occupied by 5th Corps General Gouverneur Warren and 9th Corps General Ambrose Burnside, the grounds teemed with men, wagons, and animals of the headquarters support system. The Catalpa provided shade, too, for none less than General Ulysses Grant.

Vase created from the Ellwood Catalpa TreeOver the years children have abounded at Ellwood, climbing the Catalpa and playing games at its base. The tree has provided a home for cats, black snakes, skunks, groundhogs, and skinks. Curiously it was rarely infested with catalpa worms, which can devour a tree’s leaves in a matter of a few days. Despite its hardiness the Ellwood Catalpa finally succumbed to age on September 14, 2006.

Yet it will continue to witness through the eyes of its baby. Pods from the parent tree have produced offspring under the tender care of the American Forests Historic Tree Nursery in Florida. Six months after planting in the same fertile spot at Ellwood, the young one is growing well. And through the beautiful creations of Historical Woods of America, Inc., the heritage of the Ellwood Catalpa witness tree can continue to thrive in the hearts and hands of many.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of these items benefit FoWB's restoration fund.