The Pearl Harbor Tree: A Quiet Piece of History Hidden in Cades Cove
First, you have to promise to keep this a secret.
All right, perhaps it is not entirely a secret. But unlike the cabins, churches, and other historic buildings along the Cades Cove Loop Road, there is no large sign pointing visitors toward the Pearl Harbor Tree. There is no paved walkway, interpretive display, or cheerful arrow announcing, “Historic tree this way!”
You have to know where to look.
The Pearl Harbor Tree stands in what was once the front yard of Cades Cove resident Golman Myers. On December 7, 1941, Myers and his family heard news of the attack on Pearl Harbor over their battery-powered radio. With two sons old enough to be drafted and America’s entry into the war seeming inevitable, Myers transplanted a young sweetgum tree near his home as a memorial to those who had died. According to the story passed down by his son Bernard, Myers placed an old automobile rim around the little sapling and said, “We will remember this forever.”
And they did.
The Myers home is gone now, and the old farmstead has been reclaimed by the forest. The sapling, however, continued growing. The automobile rim that once protected it eventually became embedded in the expanding trunk. Decades later, Bernard Myers attached a metal marker identifying the tree and the date his father planted it. Visitors have since tucked American flags around its base, creating an unofficial memorial in the woods.
How to Find the Pearl Harbor Tree
Remember: you promised not to tell everybody.
After entering the Cades Cove Loop Road, travel approximately 3½ miles to the large overlook and parking area. Continue to the next small pull-off on the right.
From there, walk into the forest and head up the somewhat steep hill to your left. There is no formal trail or sign, but once you reach the tree, you will recognize it by the marker, the old metal rim in its trunk, and the collection of American flags left by visitors.
Wear sensible shoes. The walk is short, but the hillside is uneven and steeper than it looks from the road. This is not the occasion for cute vacation sandals unless you would like your visit to include an unscheduled demonstration of gravity.
More Than Just Another Tree
I once brought a multigenerational family here because several of the men were World War II history buffs. It gave them something more than another beautiful Cades Cove view. They were able to stand beside a living memorial planted on the very day the United States was drawn into World War II. My Dad was a WWII vet (Rangers lead the way!), so each visit is special to me, remembering him.
That is part of what makes Cades Cove special. The broad fields and mountain views may catch your attention first, but quieter stories remain tucked into the woods.
The Pearl Harbor Tree is one of them.
Please visit respectfully. Do not carve the bark, disturb the metal rim, or leave anything that could damage the tree or surrounding forest. Take a photograph, pause for a moment, and remember why a worried father planted one small sapling more than eight decades ago.
Then return to your car knowing you found something most visitors drive right past.
Want to talk about capturing your memories during your visit?