I Can Tell a Lie!

About the Author: Jud Scott is a lover of trees and history and has earned the designation of Registered Consulting Arborist #392 (RCA) with the American Society of Consulting Arborists. As an RCA, Jud advises attorneys, landscape companies, park departments, developers, architects, insurance companies, as well as homeowners concerning their trees and landscapes. Jud can be reached at Jud@ judscottconsultingarborist.com or at 317-8168733.

Upon entering the garden, the elder Washington, found his prize English cherry tree flattened by the hand of vagrants! Entering into the kitchen, expressing rage at the act, he was confronted by young George Washington who proclaimed “I cannot tell a lie, it was I who chopped down the cherry tree!” So the story goes, told for centuries to encourage school children to be honest, yet a total embellishment of the truth.

It seems that Parson Weems, an early biographer, totally fabricated the story. There is no historical evidence that the hatchet ever existed or that the cherry ever fell. Truly young George went on to perform remarkable feats but tree feller he was not.