Young George Washington confessing to cutting down a cherry tree. In undoubtedly the most famous story about Washington's boyhood, he received a hatchet for a gift, and used it to hack at a cherry tree.

Who cut down a cherry tree?

Home George Washington Facts Myths George Washington and the… The famous story of a young George Washington cutting down a cherry tree with his hatchet has captured the imagination of generations.

Who damaged the cherry tree?

The cherry tree myth is the most well-known and longest enduring legend about George Washington. In the original story, when Washington was six years old he received a hatchet as a gift and damaged his father's cherry tree. When his father discovered what he had done, he became angry and confronted him.