Oklahoma City bombing 'Survivor Tree' lives on

Science and technology are helping Oklahoma City to sustain the DNA – and the spirit – of a tree that has symbolized hope in the 24 years since the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history shook the city to its core.

Section:Gallery

Fri., April 19, 2019

Dignitaries put dirt on a Survivor Tree clone after it was transplanted on the grounds Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. The Survivor Tree is the 110-year-old American Elm that survived the 1995 bombing of Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Sarah Phipps Associated Press
A Survivor Tree clone is transplanted on the grounds Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. The Survivor Tree is the 110-year-old American Elm that survived the 1995 bombing of Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Sarah Phipps Associated Press
Mark Bays, right, a forester with Oklahoma Forestry Services, greets a man who waited in line to get an American elm sapling Friday, April 19, 2019. In Oklahoma City. The tree grew out of a seed from the “Survivor Tree” that is a symbol of hope after the deadly 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Science and technology are helping Oklahoma City to sustain the DNA of a tree symbolizing hope 24 years after the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on U.S. soil. As part of an annual remembrance of the bombing, civic leaders on Friday plan to transplant a tree that was cloned from a scarred American elm that lived through the blast. They hope the younger elm will replace the nearly 100-year-old “Survivor Tree” once it dies.

Adam Kealoha Causey Associated Press
Sheridean McMahan, of Jones, Okla., picks out an American elm sapling in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. The tree grew out of a seed from the “Survivor Tree” that is a symbol of hope after the deadly 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Science and technology are helping Oklahoma City to sustain the DNA of a tree symbolizing hope 24 years after the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on U.S. soil. As part of an annual remembrance of the bombing, civic leaders on Friday plan to transplant a tree that was cloned from a scarred American elm that lived through the blast. They hope the younger elm will replace the nearly 100-year-old “Survivor Tree” once it dies.

Adam Kealoha Causey Associated Press
In this April 19, 2010, photo, people gather under the Survivor Tree at the Oklahoma City National Memorial during a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. As part of the city's annual day of remembrance Friday, April 19, 2019 – the 24th anniversary of the attack – civic leaders will plant a tree in a city park that was cloned from this scarred American elm that survived the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on U.S. soil.

Sue Ogrocki Ap
In this April 19, 1995, aerial file photo, the north side of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is pictured after an explosion that killed 168 people and injured hundreds. As part of the city’s annual day of remembrance Friday, April 19, 2019, – the 24th anniversary of the attack – civic leaders would plant a tree that was cloned from the Survivor Tree – a scarred American elm that survived the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on U.S. soil.
Visitors to the Oklahoma City National Memorial walk around the “Survivor Tree,” a 100-year-old American elm and symbol of hope after the deadly 1995 bombing, Friday, April 19, 2019, in Oklahoma City. Science and technology are helping Oklahoma City to sustain the DNA of the tree symbolizing hope 24 years after the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on U.S. soil. As part of an annual remembrance of the bombing, civic leaders on Friday plan to transplant a tree that was cloned from the scarred American elm that lived through the blast. They hope the younger elm will replace the “Survivor Tree” once it dies.

Adam Kealoha Causey Associated Press
Hundreds attend the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Friday, April 19, 2019. The event honors the memory and legacy of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks to the crowd during the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Friday, April 19, 2019. The event honors the memory of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
A member of the Oklahoma City Fire Department honor guard, far right, bows his head while standing with other first responders who participated in the flag-raising portion of the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Friday, April 19, 2019. The event honors the memory and legacy of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
Soldiers assigned to the U. S. Army Recruiting Battalion in Oklahoma City honor the lives of Army recruiters who died in the blast, Friday, April 19, 2019 in Oklahoma City. Eight people who worked in the recruiting office were killed in the bombing. They gathered and walked among the chairs prior to the start of the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The event honors the memory of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
Colton Lossie, 14, touches the chair representing victim Colton Wade Smith after the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Friday, April 19, 2019. The event honors the memory of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. Lossie, an eighth grade student at Little Axe Middle School, said he is named for Colton Smith, who along with his brother, Chase Dalton Smith, died in the explosion. The children were in the America’s Kids Child Development Center.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
A man carries an American flag while walking through the Field of Empty Chairs at the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Friday, April 19, 2019. In background, three soldiers assigned to the U. S. Army Recruiting Battalion on Oklahoma City silently honor Army recruiters who died in the blast. Eight people who worked in the recruiting office were killed in the bombing. The event honors the memory of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
Chairs in the Field of Chairs are decorated by friends and families in a variety of ways to honor the person who died in the attack, Friday, April 19, 2019 in Oklahoma City. The chair in foreground is in honor of Susan Jane Ferrell, who worked on the eighth floor for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hundreds attended the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The event honors the memory and legacy of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
Survivors and families of the victims who died in the bombing are joined by dignitaries and visitors as Oklahoma City held the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Friday, April 19, 2019. The event honors the memory of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press
Visitors and guests fill the stone benches on the north side of the Reflecting Pool at the 24th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Friday, April 19, 2019. At right is the Survivor Tree, an American elm tree more than 90 years old that stood at ground zero when the bomb exploded. It was given its name because it survived the bomb’s blast. The event honors the memory of the 168 people killed on April 19, 1995, during a terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Jim Beckel Associated Press