Last updated: April 30, 2025
Place
Franklinia
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Congress Hall
While demure compared to the oaks, elms, and London Planes of the square, this tree has a direct connection to Benjamin Franklin and early science discovery in Philadelphia.
This is a franklinia alatamaha, or just Franklinia. Philadelphia was a center of scientific discovery in the 18th century, including expanding our knowledge of the world of plants and trees.During their travels, father and son botanists John and William Bartram cultivated seeds and cuttings, including those of the Franklinia tree from George and South Carolina. They brought them back to their gardens to Philadelphia and grew them. William eventually named it in honor of his father’s good friend, Benjamin Franklin.
Franklinia trees are extinct in the wild, so all Franklinia today, including this one, come from seeds and stems collected by the Bartrams and cultivated at their garden in West Philadelphia. They are very difficult to grow and mature, even by the most expert gardeners, so we take great care of our small tree. Remember even though you are in a city--you’re in a national park! Help us take care of all our resources, historic and natural.
This is a franklinia alatamaha, or just Franklinia. Philadelphia was a center of scientific discovery in the 18th century, including expanding our knowledge of the world of plants and trees.During their travels, father and son botanists John and William Bartram cultivated seeds and cuttings, including those of the Franklinia tree from George and South Carolina. They brought them back to their gardens to Philadelphia and grew them. William eventually named it in honor of his father’s good friend, Benjamin Franklin.
Franklinia trees are extinct in the wild, so all Franklinia today, including this one, come from seeds and stems collected by the Bartrams and cultivated at their garden in West Philadelphia. They are very difficult to grow and mature, even by the most expert gardeners, so we take great care of our small tree. Remember even though you are in a city--you’re in a national park! Help us take care of all our resources, historic and natural.