Tower Tree

The Tree That Put Greensburg On The Map

For more than a century and a half, trees have grown from the roof of the Decatur County Courthouse tower, 110 feet above the courthouse yard.

Growing since: 1870s
Location: Downtown Greensburg, Indiana
Current species: Mulberry

How Does a Tree Grow From a Courthouse?

That's the question people have been asking for more than 150 years. The first tree was noticed growing from the courthouse tower in the early 1870s. Over time, additional sprouts appeared in different places on the tower, eventually creating what observers described as a small grove growing 110 feet above the courthouse yard.

But how did the trees get there? No definite explanation has ever been found for how the seeds of the first trees reached the tower. The current tree grows through a physical opening in the roof, with its roots growing in silt and soil that accumulated within the tower's interior roof structure.

Aerial view of Greensburg, Indiana’s historic Decatur County Courthouse, featuring the famous Tower Tree growing from the courthouse roof, with the downtown area and surrounding landscape visible in the background.

And no, it isn't watered by the clock.

The long-running joke is that the tree is fed by springs in the courthouse clock. The actual explanation is considerably less mysterious: water makes its way through the limestone and into the area where the tree's roots grow.

The History

The Tower Tree's story begins in the early 1870s, when residents noticed what appeared to be a small sprig growing from the northwest corner of the courthouse tower. Eventually, five trees were observed growing from different parts of the tower.

In 1888, courthouse officials became concerned that the trees could damage the roof, so a steeplejack was hired to remove some of them. Two were left standing. One eventually grew approximately 15 feet tall with a base nearly five inches in diameter before it died and was removed to the Decatur County Historical Society Museum.

Other trees continued to appear, and the phenomenon persisted. Throughout the years, there have been several generations of the tree, including a time when one became diseased and another grew from its roots. The tree has continued to survive through changing seasons and even a drought in the 1950s, when the Greensburg Fire Department was called to spray water on it.

1870s - Residents noticed the first small sprig growing from the courthouse tower.

1879 - The presence of a tree growing on the courthouse was officially acknowledged, and a tree has continued to grow on the courthouse from that time until the present.

1888 - A steeplejack was hired to remove some of the trees after courthouse officials became concerned about potential damage to the tower roof. Two trees remained: one grew 15 feet tall and 5 inches wide before dying years later and was preserved in the Decatur County Historical Society Museum.

1900s - A tree sprouted and grew tall on the southeast corner of the tower. Another tree appeared on the same corner, leaving two trees to carry on the courthouse's fame.

Today - Over time, the pruning process has been repeated, leaving a tree atop the courthouse for many years. The tree attracts tourists nationwide and has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and international publications. It was even highlighted in an episode of Ripley's Believe It or Not. To ensure its long-term health, the tree has modern upgrades, including a Wi-Fi-enabled soil monitoring system to sustain moisture levels and irrigate the tree properly.

Black-and-white vintage postcard photo of a tall Gothic Revival stone clock tower attached to a large historic building, with a small tree growing at the top near a steeplejack working on the spire. Handwritten caption at the bottom reads "Tree on Tower Cared for by A.W. Winders - Steeplejack, Red Key, Indiana."

Photo credit: Indiana Historical Society, Circa 1888

Tree Trimming

2026 tree trimming

What Kind of Tree Is It?

For many years, nobody knew exactly what species of tree was growing from the courthouse.

The Smithsonian Institution was once asked to classify the tree and identified it as a large-tooth aspen. More contemporary information identified the current tree differently. During a tree trimming, a piece of the tree was examined by Purdue University foresters, who identified it as a mulberry tree.

The mulberry tree was estimated by an arborist to be approximately 50 years old at the time of the courthouse maintenance project.

A Symbol of Greensburg

The Tower Tree is the single most visible and easily identifiable landmark in Decatur County. Residents describe it as a source of identity and connect it with growth and community pride.

The tree has become so closely connected with Greensburg that it appears throughout the community's identity, including references to Tree City.

America 250 1918 WWI Era Courthouse

In 2026, the Greensburg community came together to recreate this 1918 WWI-era photo on the west side of the courthouse lawn to commemorate America's 250th anniversary.

America 250 Community Courthouse Photo

The Courthouse

Courthouse

The Tower Tree isn't standing on just any building.

The Decatur County Courthouse has been at the center of the community's history for generations. Decatur County was created in 1821, and the courthouse that stands today began as the brick courthouse built in 1854 and was later remodeled.

The courthouse has also witnessed significant moments in local history, including the 1848/1849 prosecution of Luther Donnelle, and it was temporarily used as an armory during the Civil War in July 1863. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

The Square

Courthouse

The courthouse sits in the center of Greensburg's square, with businesses located on all four sides. The square has also served as a gathering place for events, including farmers' markets, parades, and other significant community events.

The courthouse is located at the intersection of Main, Broadway, Washington, and Franklin streets.

DOWNTOWN GREENSBURG

See the Tower Tree

150 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, Indiana 47240

Hear to the Story

BTTT Episode 1

In Episode 1 of Beyond the Tree Tower, hear local historians, county officials, and community members tell the story of the Tower Tree, the courthouse, and what the landmark means to Greensburg.

LISTEN