Witness Tree Trilogy

Hidden across the Gettysburg battlefield are living survivors of the bloodiest battle in American history—the trees that were there.

Every day, they grow older. Every year, some fall. And with them, a piece of our shared story disappears. Learn their stories. Hear what they witnessed—before it’s too late

Get the Complete Witness Trees of Gettysburg Trilogy — save $8!

Individually: $15.95 each → Total: $47.85

Bundle Price: $39.85

Buy the Trilogy Now - save $8

Praise for the Witness Trees of Gettysburg series

A completely new way to see the battlefield at Gettysburg

"The Battle of Gettysburg has been minutely examined in great detail. Seemingly, there are few if any aspects remaining to discover. However, researcher/artist Peter Lukacs has entered a new arena with his dramatic studies of witness trees on the battlefield. His definitive comparisons of period era photos with images produced in real time is a ground breaking endeavor, worthy of study by anyone interested in this iconic battle, be they amateur or expert."

- Mark Hartshorne,
American Battlefield Trust photographer

The field guides make finding the witness trees fun and easy

"I recently moved to Gettysburg and quickly became a “witness tree nerd!” Peter’s Book 1 is a MUST for any witness tree enthusiast or history lover! I keep this guide in my car as I constantly go out to the battlefield to explore. I love how easy it is to use — the maps and then and now comparison photos make discovery fun and a breeze. I look forward to Peter’s future books."

- Glenna Linville,
Retired, Department of the Army, Public Affairs Specialist

"Thoughtfully designed and beautifully printed"

"It’s no surprise to me how well received Peter’s first publication, ‘A Field Guide to The Witness Trees of Pickett's Charge’, has been. It's thoughtfully designed and beautifully printed. Most of all it is exhaustively researched and accurate, backed by Peter’s disciplined research methodology. Well done, Peter! Well done indeed!"

- Greg Allen,
Owner/Artisan, Gettysburg Sentinels

"It enhances my Gettysburg experience"

"Peter's great field guides make it possible for any tourist, casual observer, or astute Civil War historian to locate and touch something that was alive and present on July 1-3, 1863. Following Peter's "Witness Tree Trail," I feel personally connected with history when I stand in the presence of one of these magnificent giants. It enhances my Gettysburg experience and takes me one step beyond the rolling hills, fields, cannon, stone walls and fences."

- Jean O. Haughton,
Veteran, USN

Each page of the witness tree field guides is filled with photographs, information about what the trees "witnessed", and maps and directions to find each tree on the battlefield. Here is what you will find for every witness tree:

What is a Gettysburg Witness Tree?

A Gettysburg Witness Tree is a still-living tree that is old enough to have been alive at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, and can be said to have "witnessed" the fighting that swirled around it during those hot summer days of July 1-3, 1863.

The National Park Service does not keep track of its own witness trees. If you are looking for comprehensive documentation of Gettysburg’s witness trees, these field guides are your only source.

Peter Lukacs has unearthed a ground-breaking way to experience Gettysburg − through the living trees that bore silent witness to this famous Civil War battle of 1863. With his field guides, you can step into history that has been hiding in plain site for over a century!

The complete trilogy of The Witness Trees of Gettysburg Series!

Imagine experiencing Gettysburg not just through history books, but through the trees that actually witnessed the battle—Peter Lukacs shows you how.

  • A Field Guide to The Witness Trees of Pickett’s Charge

    The Witness Trees of Pickett’s Charge

    $15.95     Add to cart
  • A Field Guide to the Witness Trees of Culp's Hill Book Cover

    The Witness Trees of Culp’s Hill

    $15.95     Add to cart
  • The Witness Trees of Little Round Top

    The Witness Trees of Little Round Top

    $15.95     Add to cart

    • Click any of the links below to access the Gettysburg Witness Tree Library and discover more than 150 historic trees with detailed guides and imagery:

    Thank you for taking the time to visit the Gettysburg Witness Trees website. I welcome all questions, comments, and even corrections! All your emails are answered.

    - Peter Lukacs