Wide shot of gnome-covered tree base with additional figurines scattered in the grass nearby.
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The Holly Hill Gnome Tree

ByNancy Lynn

A Tree Full of Gnomes Along the Florida Waterfront

“Why is that tree covered in gnomes?”

Honestly, that’s all it took.

It’s a tree. On the waterfront. Covered in gnomes.

Not a few gnomes. Not a tasteful little cluster. Dozens upon dozens of gnomes — tucked into the roots, perched in the branches, hanging on tiny swings, stacked three deep at the base. They are absolutely everywhere, and I loved every single one of them.

Zach’s review was “Why though?”

My review was significantly more enthusiastic.

The Holly Hill Gnome Tree started in 2003 when Virginia Morris placed three small gnomes at the base of this waterfront tree along Riverside Drive, inspired by a man who left paper and pencils along his walking route for children to find. People started adding their own. Then more people. Then more gnomes. Now it’s a full community-tended gnome village with locals who bring them inside during bad weather and a notepad on site where visitors can leave notes.

I did not know about the notepad. I did not leave a note. I will be remedying this.

Wait — Are Those Actually Gnomes?

Here’s something most people don’t know, and I say this as someone who loves gnomes: not everything at this tree is technically a gnome.

Some of them are gonks.

The difference is simple once you see it. Gnomes have a full visible face — you can see their eyes, nose, cheeks, the whole thing. Gonks have a hat that comes so far down their face that all you can really see is the nose. Sometimes just the nose. That’s it. Nose and hat.

Both are represented at the Holly Hill Gnome Tree in full force, and now that you know the difference, you will absolutely not be able to unsee it.

Visiting the Holly Hill Gnome Tree

  • Facebook Page: The Gnomes of Holly Hill, Florida
  • Location: 1037 Riverside Dr, Holly Hill, FL 32117
  • Cost: Free
  • Bring: A gnome or gonk to add, a note to leave, or just your eyeballs
  • International Gnome Day: June 21st — they celebrate annually, and it is exactly what you think it is

It’s a quick stop — fifteen minutes, maybe twenty if you’re really inspecting everyone. But it’s the kind of quick stop that sticks with you, which is honestly the whole point of this blog.

Florida’s full of these little moments. Our Florida roadside stops page has more where this came from.