A Chinese chestnut on the Milton Hershey School campus became one of the oldest and most meaningful trees to generations of HIS/MHS students, especially those who made Kinderhaus their home. Informally known as the climbing tree because of its low-hanging, widespread branches, it was also marked by an earthy aroma from its canopy and by clusters of long soft tendrils each spring. Its horizontally extending branches, beginning almost at the base, made it especially well suited for climbing. As one of the oldest and largest trees on campus, it began to suffer from its own size, and in 2013 arborists added permanent bracing and cabling to prevent its loss. Three one-inch-thick pieces of threaded rod were installed to help pull together a crack in the base, and nine cables were anchored to support the tree’s weight and draw it together. Planted during Milton Hershey’s lifetime, the Kinderhaus Climbing Tree continues to provide shade and enjoyment today.