Would they paint a portrait of Arizona's climate, inhabitants, and events? Would they be an impartial witness and tell it like they saw it? Arizona's rich history has been witnessed by many, but none so enduring as these living specimens. Some planted by pioneers for specific purposes, some happened upon and used throughout the years for what we Arizonans needed at various times throughout statehood. They are a living legacy enjoyed and utilized by Arizona's inhabitants and now honored for their service.
These Witness Trees are dedicated as part of Arizona's Centennial, verified to have witnessed Arizona's statehood from February 14, 1912, to February 14, 2012.
"Take care of us," they would whisper. "You need us. Don't forget our shade on hot summer days, our protection, our fuel, our food, and our beauty that influenced you to stay for more than a century."
 "The Jail Tree")
When the gold rush came to Wickenburg, suddenly the town needed a place to incarcerate drunks and criminals. A mesquite tree located at Tenger and Wickenburg Way (Highway 60) did the trick for 27 years. Until a jail was built in 1890, lawbreakers were shackled to the sprawling tree. If it could talk, it might have some juicy tales to tell. The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce for over 72 years maintained signage for the historic tree with the Town of Wickenburg. Inside the chamber publications, visitors and residents can find information about the tree. The Wickenburg Lions Club several years ago provided a new metal sign depicting the history of the tree. The Town of Wickenburg Parks Department currently maintains the Jail Tree and its surrounding property.
Photo credit: Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce
 "The Statehood Tree")
 "The Statehood Tree")
This majestic deodar cedar is a most striking specimen for the public to gaze at and sit under while taking in the scenery of historic downtown Prescott. It is located on the NE corner of the Courthouse Square along Gurley St. Its evergreen foliage is offset by the surrounding historic American Elms of Courthouse Square. It was planted in commemoration of Arizona's statehood on February 14, 1912, as told on the plaque shown below that was provided by the local Boy Scouts. There is a bench appropriately located beneath it for visitors to experience it firsthand.
Photo Credit: Sara Jacoby
 "The Bicentennial Tree")
 "The Bicentennial Tree")
 "The Bicentennial Tree")
As told on the existing plaque, this white oak located in front of the City of Prescott building along Cortez Street in downtown Prescott has been dated back to at least 1776, witnessing not only the American Revolution, but Arizona's inception as a territory and transformation to statehood. Its weathered and gnarled trunk is truly what an old oak represents. With its injuries and knots, it tells a tale of survival in Arizona from untouched native landscape to modern urban development.
Photo Credit: Sara Jacoby
 "Mr. Who's Tree")
 "Owl in Mr. Who's Tree")
 "Mayer Main Street in 1903")
 "Wyatt Earp in Downtown Mayer")
This witness tree could solve the mystery of Joe Mayer's death, if only it could talk! Joe Mayer loved the streets lined with cottonwood trees when he was looking for a new livelihood and bought the community supply store in 1882. The Mayer family flourished as did the town, bringing many people to visit and stay in this area, such as Wyatt Earp, Tom Mix, and Arizona's first governor, George Hunt. It is located next to the property that once was the livery stable for the Big Bug Station Coach Lines one block north of Mayer's business district on Central Ave. It has witnessed a wealth of miners due to its close proximity to the richest deposit of onyx in the United States, amongst other precious minerals. Thus, with the booming mining industry, it witnessed the rail lines come and go and a colorful history of characters.
Photo Credit: Roselynn Fernwalt (Tree & Owl), others unknown
 "The George Washington Elm"){kind=small}
 "In 1931, DAR at planting in front of Old Main on the NAU Campus")
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, MA, 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 took root in Flagstaff on the campus of Northern Arizona University in April of 1931, in front of Old Main. Its livelihood is under the watchful eye of the Coconino Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 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.
Photo Credit: Coconino Daughters of the American Revolution
 "The Mighty Ponderosa"){kind=small}
This more than 200-year-old specimen tree is located just outside the back door of the Game and Fish regional office, which was built around the trees in order to preserve them not only for their ambiance but because they were "here first." The "showpiece" Pinetop Fish Hatchery was built in 1930 and finished in 1932 on this same site in Pinetop. The hatchery was closed in 1954 when the water supply and conveyance system failed.
Photo Credit: Bruce Sitko
 "The Gibson Homestead Tree"){kind=small}
A witness to generations, the Gibson thornless honey locust was planted by Jean Simmons' great-grandfather Bill around 1905 after he and his wife, Pearl, settled the property. Two trees were originally planted and a swing was built between them; however, one was cut down due to proximity. This Snowflake property has been in the family since the time of James William (Bill) Gibson, who arrived in Snowflake between 1880 and 1885, and was handed down to grandson Rex Gibson, father of Jean, who now resides at the property.
Photo Credit: Bruce E. Mighton
 "The Union Pacific Palm"){kind=small}
This palm tree is located NW of the railroad tracks on John Wayne Blvd. in Maricopa and was planted around 1910 by unknown person(s). It was already quite large when the Arthur Deal family settled in Maricopa around 1917. The boy in the photo is Paul Deal, who was about two at the time. During oral interviews, Native Americans from Ak-Chin spoke of sitting under or near the palm tree when they came to Maricopa to catch the train to Tucson and Yuma to sell their baskets and wares. It has witnessed the arrival of dignitaries in addition to thousands of east-west travelers who climbed down the Southern Pacific Railroad steps to board the M&P and later Arizona Eastern Railroad train into Phoenix.
Photo Credit: The Arthur Deal family
 "The Chaining Tree"){kind=small}
 "The Chaining Tree Placque")
Payson's first jail was located on the corner of Main St. and McLane. According to Rim Country History, NGCHS, Rim Country Printery, 1984, p. 61, "The oak tree in front of the Womans Club [sic] was the 'jail tree' in early Payson where misdoers were chained until they could be taken to the Globe Jail. Most 'criminals' were just good ol' boys who needed a place to calm down their exuberance from too much 'likker.'"
Photo Credit: Lita Nicholson
 "The Desert Survivor")
This ironwood tree, shown in full bloom, resides in the town of Quartzsite. It is in remarkable condition for its age - 1,050 years old, as determined by the La Paz County University of Arizona Extension office - probably due to its location close to a wash. It is viewable by a trail outside of the Town Hall, north of the water tank. It has witnessed the ages from the same location and recently in its history has become accustomed to the yearly winter population boom of Quartzsite, located along Interstate 10 next to the Arizona/California border. Ironwoods are known for their dense timber, as limbs from these trees do not float.
Photo Credit: Town of Quartzsite
 "Winfield Scott's Windbreak")
 "Winfield Scott's Windbreak")
 "Winfield Scott's Windbreak")
 "Winfield Scott's Windbreak")
This grove of 25 olive trees planted by Scottsdale's founder and namesake, Chaplain Winfield Scott, is still standing within medians along 2nd Street and Drinkwater Boulevard in Old Town Scottsdale. The alignment in which they were planted is the original windbreak for the border of citrus fields planted by Scott in 1896 while Arizona was still a territory. Chaplain Scott influenced many to visit and live in the area. No doubt the exotic citrus, olives, and scenery played a role in convincing them to stay. The trees have stood the test of time even in their now-urban environment, providing a lush historical backdrop to the thriving arts and entertainment district that has developed around them.
Photo Credit: Louise Wakem