TreesSC 2023 Heritage Tree Award – The Greenville Roots tree (aka Medusa Beech tree)
The beautiful Reedy River Falls may be the centerpiece – and namesake – of Greenville’s Falls Park in the heart of downtown Greenville, but a common American beech tree has been making a play for the park’s photo hot spot for years.
The land that this tree is on was once owned by Furman University and held the Furman Arboretum. The Roots Tree was one of the original trees in Furman’s Arboretum that was established in 1929. The arboretum was not cared for during WWII and became in disrepair and was totally abandoned by Furman University when it moved its campus to its present location in Travelers Rest. During the construction of Furman College Way, the trees bank was cut away to make way for the road, which is now part of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and soil slowly eroded away to show the grand root system we see today.
The tree is precariously perched at the top of a steep embankment above Furman Collage Way and it’s held its ground for some 70 years by extending its roots all over the hillside like wavy locks of hair. The twisted, thick structural roots have earned it the moniker of Medusa tree after the beautiful priestess in Greek mythology whose golden hair was turned into snakes, but most people just call it the root tree.
It is one of the most photographed trees in the City of Greenville and even has a location on Google maps. By any name, it’s a natural attraction that has quickly gained star status. With its exposed roots extending to the sidewalk below, it serves as a popular backdrop for selfies and family photos and is the cover photo on Jim Urban’s Up By Roots book.
Article excerpts from: https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/greenvilles-root-tree-is-mother-natures-work-of-art
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