The Jail Tree

WICKENBURG’S 200-YEAR-OLD JAIL TREE WAS CHOSEN AS AN OFFICIAL CENTENNIAL WITNESS TREE

The Town received a 14×17 cast bronze plaque with the information and placed it near the tree where it can be easily viewed by the public. The Town of Wickenburg and the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce submitted information and photographs for the nomination! The bronze character sculpture sits at the base of the tree. Visitors can press a button and hear a narrated story about the tree used as our first jail.

The Jail Tree (a Mesquite tree – Prosopis velutina) in Wickenburg, was selected as an Arizona “Magnificent 7” Heritage Tree and held this status throughout 2016. The Magnificent 7 are selected from three sub-programs of Arizona’s Magnificent Trees which include: Champion Trees (largest), Heritage Trees (culturally significant), and Witness Trees (as old as Arizona Statehood, February 14, 1912). These seven trees represent the “best of the best” throughout Arizona.

These trees were recognized at the State Arbor Day Ceremony on April 26, 2016. The ceremony was held at the State Capitol Museum – Historic Senate Office, which also included a reading of the Governor’s Proclamation, Awards Ceremony, and Tree Planting. Executive Director Julie Brooks was invited to attend and accept the recognition for our community.