Levittown Sequoias Are More Than Suburban Legend

When Levitt and Sons built Levittown in Pennsylvania between 1952 and 1956, they used hardy sequoia redwood tree lumber. Since construction wrapped up, there has been a suburban legend that iconic sequoia trees were scattered in the community by William Levitt.

It’s true. All of it.

The sequoia lumber use by Levitt as he built more than 17,000 almost-identical homes came from California, explained David Marable, the proprietor of Levittown Internationally Known Communities Inc. and an expert on Levittown’s history.

As the story goes, Levitt planted several sequoias around Levittown as a tribute to the old-growth trees that help build the massive planned community.

Over the years, Marable has conducted interviews and collected thousands upon thousands of pieces telling the story of Levittown from the very beginning. Among the details he has followed has been the story of the sequoias.

Although there might have been more at one time, Marable is certain that two were brought over from California. Only one is left standing.

The first sequoia tree was cut down after new homeowners did not know about their tree’s unique history. Marable did his best to save parts of the tree and plans to make it into plaques or use the wood in some other commemorative way, he said.

Andrea, who requested her address and name not be published, is the Levittown homeowner who has the last known original sequoia tree.

Over the years, she has had many people stop by to see the tree and ask questions.

65 Years Later, Life Goes On In Levittown

“When we first bought the house, we thought the tree was dead,” Andrea said.

Unfamiliar with sequoia trees, the homeowner did not realize that the tree was only dormant and halted a plan to cut down the giant tree.

“It is a lot of hard work, but it is worth it,” Andrea said.

The homeowners put up with the workload of caring for the tree because it is an original brought in by Levitt, Andrea said.

In addition, Andrea has provided saplings from the tree to close friends and family, including giving one to Marable.

Over the years, Marable has looked for other sequoias in Levittown but the only ones he knows about is the one owned by Andrea and her family and the sapling they gave to him.