Wednesday, March 6, 2002

Nonprofit conservation organization recognizes Georgia tree as historic

The Lovers Live Oak at the corner of Prince and Albany in Brunswick, Georgia, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Trees. A plaque at the site shows that the tree was previously recognized during the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution as having lived here at the time of the signing of our Constitution. The plaque was placed by the National Arborists Association and the International Society of Arborculture.

Estimated to be somewhere between 700 and 900 year old, the tree is steeped in legend. Guale braves would meet maidens under the spreading limbs to court, giving the tree its name, Lovers' Oak. Seeds were gathered from the tree last fall and direct-offspring Lovers' Oak trees are ready for outdoor planting.

American Forests (www.americanforests.org), founded in 1875, is the nationís oldest nonprofit conservation organization and the world leader in tree planting for environmental restoration. Since 1917, American Forests has recognized trees as living witnesses to the events and lives that shaped our nation. The group began this work as a preservation program and has continued to update and catalog old trees in five publications, the most recent being in 1975 Famous & Historic Trees (Clepper and Randall).

In partnership with American Forests, companies are assisting in the search for historic trees in many states in the nation. "We know that Georgia is rich in heritage," said Susan Corbett of American Forests, "and we hope to learn of a Georgia corporation that shares our respect for the past and pride in these environmental treasures."

With Magellan Global Positioning equipment provided by Magellan Corporation, the latitude and longitude of each historic tree location is recorded. Future plans include a Historic Trees Eco-tour guided by these GPS locators.

Beginning in 1989, direct offspring historic trees have been grown at the Historic Tree Nursery facilities in Jacksonville, Fla. These are available to schools, organizations and individuals and each purchase aids efforts to reforest ecosystems and habitats.

Crown Publishing, a division of Random House, will publish the National Register of Historic Trees, the first comprehensive reference of trees with historic significance, in 2004.

Across the nation, trees stand as the last living witnesses to lives and events that shaped American history. These grand old trees shaded Native Americans before the first European settlers landed; gave protection to the Minutemen during the opening shots of the Revolution; survived the battles of the Civil War and stood as landmarks for pioneers heading westward. Each tree has a place in history and the National Register of Historic Trees will recognize, preserve and protect them for future generations.

Individuals, historic societies, civic groups and students are invited to nominate trees to the National Register of Historic Trees online at www.historictrees.org or by requesting a nomination form at 1-800 320-TREE (8733).

A complete listing of American Forests' Historic Trees is available at www.historictrees.org.

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