What’s That Tree Doing There?

Greensburg, Indiana is the seat of Decatur County and the hub of a small farming community southeast of Indianapolis.    Almost nobody famous was born there unless you count Carl Fisher who developed Miami Beach, Florida.  Locals never cared much for salt air so his name never came up much at diner chit chat. 

The town’s economy fared well through the years with light industry such as a roller bearing plant, a large factory that manufactures locks and latches for the auto industry and a plant that makes car radiators.  In 2007, it hit the big time when Honda agreed to erect a large factory to build Civics bringing with it several thousand new jobs (along with heretofore unknown drug trafficking and crime).

Greensburg’s one claim to fame is atop the courthouse  right in the middle of town.  It’s a tree growing out of the tower just as though it belonged there.
                                                                   
The tree, a long tooth aspen, is believed to be the 17th to grow atop the structure.  The first one was spotted in 1870 and was quickly removed.  A second one sprouted in 1875 and was allowed to remain until it failed to leaf out in 1929 (when about everything else in town failed, too).  However, another sprouted that same year on the other side of the tower.   Since then, city officials decided to declare it a tourist attraction and began caring for it and getting panicky when it appears sickly.  There’s a Tree City Festival held each year in its honor. 

The root system has caused some structural damage over the years requiring mitigation, including judicious pruning.  There is no visible source of nourishment and locals are quick to point out that the roots get water from the springs in the clock.  I think they speak in jest.