OKC Survivor Tree planted in DC in commemoration of 30 years since the bombing

A sapling from the iconic Survivor Tree that withstood the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing was planted on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol during a solemn ceremony this week, marking nearly 30 years since the tragic attack that claimed 168 lives.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Tom Austin, the 13th Architect of the Capitol, who emphasized the importance of honoring the memory of those lost and preserving natural symbols like the Survivor Tree.

“This tree represents more than just resilience,” Austin said. “It represents a nation’s commitment to never forget and to nurture symbols of hope for future generations.”

LEARN MORE: Survivor Tree: A living symbol of resilience and hope

Austin acknowledged the efforts of U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice and her staff in organizing the planting and thanked Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin, and Representatives Tom Cole, Kevin Hern, and Frank Lucas for their attendance and support.

A Living Symbol of Resilience

The Survivor Tree—a once-scarred American elm that grew near the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building—has become a powerful emblem of resilience in the face of domestic terrorism. After the blast left it charred and stripped of leaves, many believed it would not survive. Yet, it endured. Its saplings have since been distributed and planted across the country.

Voices of Memory and Hope

Sen. Lankford spoke to the importance of ensuring future generations understand the significance of the Survivor Tree. “Oklahomans visiting the Capitol will see this tree and tell its story,” Lankford said.

Susan Chambers, a member of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Board, recalled the memorial’s mission to preserve the Survivor Tree as a central element. “It burned, but it did not break,” she said. “It stands as a source of strength, peace, and hope.”

Personal Stories of Loss and Recovery

Melinda Whicher, whose father Alan G. Whicher died in the bombing, shared a moving account of the decision to save the original tree. “It looked weak, damaged, and broken—just like so many of us felt,” she said. However, she notes that someone chose to protect it, and like the survivors, it became stronger.

Polly Nichols, who survived the blast with severe injuries, described her evolving relationship with the tree. She was in the Journal Records building across the street from the Murrah building. She used to think how ugly the tree was and wondered why it had not been taken down, but now has three saplings of her own in her backyard to commemorate what it means to her and so many other Oklahomans.

A Unified Tribute

The ceremony concluded as members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation each took a turn shoveling dirt to plant the tree, a symbolic act of unity and remembrance. The sapling will now grow among the Capitol’s historic grounds, carrying with it a message of survival, healing, and enduring hope.

As the 30th anniversary of the bombing approaches, the Survivor Tree continues to stand not just for the victims and survivors of April 19, 1995—but for a nation’s commitment to remember, to rebuild, and to grow.