Gardner's Shack: The Liberty Tree

In Liberty Square, there is an attraction that is often overlooked. But in 1971 when the Magic Kingdom opened it was the centerpiece of the land. That Attraction is the Liberty Tree. You may be asking yourself what is the Liberty Tree well that goes back to a time before Disney in fact it goes back to a time before America. The original Liberty Tree was located in Boston Common from 1646 till 1775 when a British Loyalist cut it down. But in the years before she was felled she stood as a sort of rallying place for those who wanted to rebel against the tyranny of the British.

Fast-forward to the 1970s. Walt Disney had always had plans to build a Liberty Square in Disneyland but when that never happened it became a priority for the "Florida Project". So with Liberty Square coming to fruition in Florida now, they needed a centerpiece for the land. Again they looked back to Walt's vision. He had always planned to have a liberty tree in the land, so that's what they did. They took a Florida Live Oak from 8 miles east of the Magic Kingdom and trucked it over to the park. That was no small task but with the guidance of legendary Disney Gardner Bill Evans who had experience moving impossible to move big trees at Disneyland they got the job done.

Now she sits across from the Hall of Presidents with thirteen Lanterns hanging in her branches representing the thirteen original colonies. So next time you are at the Magic  Kingdom and find yourself in Liberty Square maybe waiting for a parade or enjoying a snack from Sleepy Hollow, stop and take a moment to enjoy the shade of The Liberty Tree.

Or whistle a tune. here are the lyrics and audio from the Liberty Tree song from the 1957 Disney film Johnny Tremain.

Plant the seed in our homeland, boys. Let it grow where all can see

Feed it with our devotion, boys. Call it the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

Save it from the storm, boys. Water down its roots with tea

And the sun will always shine on the old Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

March along with the piper, boys. We were born forever free

Let’s go pay the piper, boys, beneath the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

Pay the price they’re asking, boys. Always pay the tyrant’s fee

Never give up the struggle, boys. Fight for the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

Stand for the rights of man, boys. Stand against all tyranny

Hang the lamps of freedom, boys, high on the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

And it will grow as we grow, boys. It will be as strong as we

We must cling to our faith, boys-faith in the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty