Freedom Tree Gerardus Gullaan Hilversum

The Freedom Tree was planted after the liberation of Hilversum in 1945. The original tree on Gerardus Gullaan reminded the residents of Hilversum of the struggle against the occupying forces and the regaining of freedom and peace.

Text on the monument:

IN MEMORY
OF OUR LIBERATION
ON 5 MAY 1945

The tree now stands in the garden of the former rectory of the Tesselschade Church at Tesselschadelaan 19 and is a Canadian maple, which is of course appropriate given the leaf on the Canadian flag. At the time of planting, the area in front of the church and the rectory was still a small square with parking spaces for churchgoers, and the tree was planted there with the accompanying memorial stone. When the church lost its function as a church and the rectory and church were sold separately, the car park was also removed and the stone was moved. It now lies in front of the church near a conifer.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar & Boudewijn van Hasselt
• Photos: Willem Visser