The seedling was grown from a seed produced by the "Survivor Tree". The Survivor Tree is a part of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, site of the April 15, 1995, bombing of the Murrah Building.

The tree, located across the street to the north of the Murrah Building and directly in front of the bombed- out hulk of the Journal Record Building, not only sustained the full force of the blast but survived.

After the bombing, the tree quickly developed into a symbol of hope for family members who lost loved ones as well as to survivors of the blast, and the name "Survivor Tree" was adopted.

Surrounded by a native stone plaza and its courtyard of 168 empty chairs, the "Survivor Tree" has become a national symbol of resilience.

The seed that produced the seedling planted in Montgomery was collected by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture-Forestry Services April 3, 2000 and distributed throughout the South for commemorative tree-planting events. This seedling is one of 15 grown by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. They were made available for commemorative tree-planting ceremonies across the state.

Gwen Lewis, Montgomery County urban agent, assisted the Montgomery Tree Committee and the City of Montgomery Recreation Department with the ceremonial planting. "This little survivor represents hope for the future. It also represents the spirit of life of which we, as a nation, can be very proud."

The "Survivor Tree" is an American elm, (Ulmus americana). While the species is capable of attaining a height and spread of more than 100 feet, this tree is modest in its stature with a height of about 40 feet. Photos taken in the 1920s, when the property was the backyard of a family home, indicate the parent tree is about 100 years old.