In the early 1870’s in the then small town of Greensburg, Indiana, some citizens noticed some odd greenery on the roof of the Decatur County Courthouse Tower. As the years went on, the green tree seemed to thrive as it grew. Local officials began to be concerned that the tree could cause structural damage to the apex roof of the tower. Legend says that in 1888 a steeplejack was hired to “trim the tree”. He was said to have found not one, but two individual Large Tooth Aspen trees growing quite nicely on the roof.
Decatur County Courthouse and Clock Tower
Word spread rapidly that Greensburg had two trees growing out of the courthouse clock tower roof. The tree drops leaves seasonally like all deciduous trees. Mystery surrounds the origin of the first Aspen seed that sprouted in the roof. Large Tooth Aspens are not native to Central Indiana. Thus history and legend began to grow around this Indiana town. For over 130 years trees have sprouted, grown and perished in a cycle that continues to this day. No, the tree you see today is not 130 years old. But Greensburg remains a National Treasure for its oddity known as the famous Tower Tree.
Greensburg is on I-74 between Indianapolis, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio. Oh, and by the way, do you know how the tree gets water? Answer: From the spring in the clock. (cue rimshot)
Roadtirement 
That’s very odd, and how does it get water other than a human watering it?
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Did you read the last line? (Seriously, there are rumors that the tree is well tended from under the roof line.)
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Apparently I missed that, sorry…
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No problem…
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Wow and 🤣
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Two most appropriate remarks! Well said….
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Interesting building.
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Rather typical of Midwest county courthouses, except no others have the tree…
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Hehe! That is a virtual geocache that is on my list of finds to make!!
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Interesting. Is there some kind of book in the building that you have to sign for the geocache? We’ve thought about geocache, but have not pursued it.
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I laughed at the spring in the clock. Good one!
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That is one I have heard several times over the years. Glad you liked it.
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This is indeed remarkable. I wonder what the trees root in. I like that they didn’t cut them down.
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There are rumors that human assistance is utilized out of sight under the roof line. Shhh… Don’t tell anybody.
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I like that even better! 🙂
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Fascinating
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The oddity of this is fun to share. When the leaves are on the visual is even more striking.
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I love those trees. Great post.
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It is fun to see. Have you seen it in full leaf, i.e. summer?
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Nature. You just can’t beat her.
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Absolutely correct, JC. Thank you!
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Pingback: Greensburg Indiana’s unique tower tree – MobsterTiger
Thanks for the reblog
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That is neat! 🙂
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Very unique thing you don’t see every day. Thanks Mark
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I would love to see the roots system on that huge tree. 😯
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