Decatur County Courthouse Tree in Greensburg, Indiana

Decatur County Courthouse Tree in Greensburg, Indiana


The Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg, Indiana certainly has a unique feature.

It’s not the great shops that lie around it, nor is it the lovely architecture. No, this Decatur County Courthouse boasts a tree growing out of the top of it!

Decatur County Courthouse Tree

Decatur County Courthouse Tree in Greensburg, Indiana

Decatur County Courthouse Tree in Greensburg, Indiana


So–what’s with the tree? To answer that question, you have to go back a few years. Many years.

A very long time ago, what most folks agree was around 1870, a tree was noted to be sprouting on top of the very tall courthouse roof.

But the Decatur County Courthouse roof did not sustain just one tree at the time–it had five!  The roots of a tree can do a fair amount of damage–so all but one of the trees was removed to keep the building from getting destroyed.

Greensburg, Indiana Unique Attraction

The tree you see on top of the Decatur County Courthouse is not the tree from 1870. After the tree grows for a time, it does wither and die. Apparently, the roof can only support a tree that’s only so large. Whether it’s due to lack of space, lack of nutrients, or something else, I cannot say.

But don’t worry–a new tree always sprouts up in its place, keeping watch over the small Indiana town like those who have come before.

No one is sure exactly how the tree got up there or how it sustains itself–though my guess to its birth would include birds. In fact, if you look very, very carefully, you may be able to see the flock of birds passing by the stately courthouse in my image that is located on the bottom left.

Go There

Decatur County Courthouse Tree in Greensburg, Indiana

Decatur County Courthouse Tree in Greensburg, Indiana


It’s certainly unusual. Go check out the sprawling Mulberry Tree for yourself.

Greensburg, Indiana is an awesome Indiana town–and the Decatur County Courthouse on its own is something to see–add in a neat story that has spanned more than a hundred years and a towering tree and, well, it’s a “must go!”

Small Towns: Destinations, not Drive-Thrus! I’m Jessica Nunemaker and THIS is little Indiana!

Just don’t forget to tell ’em that  little Indiana sent you!

Decatur County Courthouse
150 Courthouse Square
Greensburg, Indiana 47240
812.663.8223

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