To stand beneath the bowers of this iconic tree – older than the city itself – is to tread the turf where Freetown’s Nova Scotian settlers sang hymns in thanks for their safe passage in 1792. Majestic and long-suffering – slaves were once sold here – the tree still conjures up notions of Freetown’s honoured heritage. There are illustrations showing the first inhabitants of the city resting under its branches. Today its huge branches chaperone the start of busy downtown, filling the main roundabout on Siaka Stevens Street. The huge Cotton Tree was once Freetown’s best known sight, before a storm sadly knocked it down in May 2023. But a part of the trunk is still standing, make sure to pay a visit!