Gettysburg Address ‘witness tree’ saplings on sale

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A historic group is selling offspring of the last living witness of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

About 100 saplings were raised from seeds of the “witness tree” that stood near where Lincoln gave the address dedicating the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at the Gettysburg battlefield on November 19, 1863.

Historic Gettysburg-Adams County board member Bruce Kile collected the seeds last year and the saplings are now ready for sale. They’re going for $25 each.

The tree can be seen in at least one photograph from the dedication day. Kile estimates the tree was 10 to 20 years old at the time.

There are about 100 trees on the grounds of the cemetery today and all but the witness tree were planted following the dedication ceremony.