City of Franklin Removes Dead Witness Tree

By Paige Hurley

On Friday, June 26, the City of Franklin contracted to have the remnants of the witness tree removed from Mallory Cemetery. In spring 2025, a storm blew several large branches from the witness tree. The damage revealed the tree had died, and for over a year the remnants waited to be removed. The remainder of the tree had to be removed to continue restoration work including the eventual rebuilding of the dry stack rock wall enclosing the cemetery. 

This tree likely stood at the time the Mallorys buried their loved ones here over 150 years ago. It stood as a testament to the landscape where the Mallorys built their home and a testament to the farms and development that came after. According to the National Park Service, historic trees “stand as silent sentinels” linking landscapes across time. The tree then is a significant part of the landscape, possibly even a reference point when selecting a spot for the family graveyard to begin with. While it is tragic the Mallory Witness Tree did not survive, the City of Franklin Parks Department promises to continue its legacy. The  City will plant a tree of the same or similar species to stand over the gravesites of Revolutionary patriot Roger Mallory and his family.