7. 13 Sweetgum Trees on the Property Represent the 13 Original Colonies
When Hamilton initially moved into Hamilton Grange, he planted 13 sweet gum in honor of the 13 original American colonies. Although those trees no longer exist due to the two relocations of the home, the National Park Foundation planted a new collection of 13 sweetgum trees in honor of the original 13 Hamilton planted.
Sweetgum trees are native to southeastern United States, but Hamilton enjoyed the trees enough to plant them in a political statement. Sweetgum trees prefer swampy lowlands and forested areas, but Hamilton planted them too high, prompting their eventual death. The New York State Legislature passed a bill to buy the land and save the trees, but they still died in spite of these efforts.
