GUFC LANDMARK AND HISTORIC TREE REGISTER

The primary purpose of the register is to locate, document and compile a record of all of the significant trees across Georgia. The register will also enhance our ability to educate and encourage the public and decision-makers about the importance of trees and the need to care for and protect them.

Our forefathers enjoyed the benefits of the virgin forest. Over time, pioneers and settlers arrived and created cities and towns. The land was cleared as fields and communities grew. Some trees were allowed to remain and over the years, others were planted on Georgia’s farms, settlements, cities and towns. Many such trees are now associated with individuals, places and events. These trees are special because of the things they represent, a living legacy to the history and people of Georgia.

Listed here are the trees currently included on the Register. Nominations are accepted throughout the calendar year, with announcement of additions to the Register at the Fall GUFC Annual Meeting. If you would like to nominate a tree please download the landmark-historic-tree-application

REGISTERED TREES

 Southern Red Oak, Historic Marietta, 2009

“Old Man” is estimated to be 200 years old and dates to pre-Civil War days.  It is is two blocks from the railroad line running through Marietta that was active in the Civil War and is in close proximity to the historic Marietta Square, Kennesaw Mountain and the Civil War battlefields and skirmish lines in the area.  The tree is in good condition with massive and majestic limbs.  Spread:  111′.  Trunk Diameter:  67″.

Tulip Poplar, Historic Marietta, 2009

This historic tree, estimated to be 100-120 years old, was added to the register because of its outstanding size and health, and its location in the historic district of Marietta, Georgia.  The enormous tulip poplar is 57″DBH and 130 feet tall, has very little deadwood, and is in excellent shape. Photo soon.

Sand Post Oak, Augusta, 2008

This outstanding tree, located in Augusta’s Westover Cemetery, was designated a National Champion by the American Forestry Association. The tree is also the 2008 Conference Awards Tree for the GUFC Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards.

Eastern White Pine Tree, Decatur, 2008

Dalton Liberty Tree, City of Dalton, 2008 

This tree was given to Dalton as Georgia’s living relative of the last Liberty Tree, where Sons of Liberty met during the American Revolution. The last tree was over 400 years old and succumbed to Hurricane Ivan in 1999. Cuttings were taken and rooted by American Forests. Dalton was picked to receive one of 14 Tulip Poplars distributed to the 13 original colonies and the White House. Dalton’s Tulip Poplar was the third planted and was planted on October 18, 2006. This tree, because of its outstanding historical significance, was placed on the GUFC Landmark and Historic Register in 2008.   

White Chapel Memorial Gardens Red Oak, White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Duluth, 2008

This tree is an 88″ dbh Red Oak located close to DOT property in Duluth (White Chapel Memorial Gardens). However, due to outcries from residents, the DOT moved their proposed on-ramp in order to save the tree! The tree has been estimated by arborists and foresters to be approximately 200 years old.
Nominated by Rusty Lee, Downey Trees.

The Athens Flowering Dogwood Tree, Athens Regional Medical Center, 2008

This tree is a Flowering Dogwood, located directly beside Prince Avenue at Athens Regional Medical Center. It measures 24″ at its base and it is in perfect condition. Next to the tree is a plaque confirming it was planting in 1951 by Charles L. Pope and donated by the Sunset Garden Club, making the tree over 57 years old at the time of this writing. The majority of the residents in the area know this tree as one of the largest Dogwood Trees in the state of Georgia.

The IRS Water Oak, IRS Building, Chamblee, 2008

This tree is a 75″ dhb Water Oak Tree located on the front left corner of the IRS property, 4800 Buford Highway in Chamblee. The property was originally a military compound. There are overhead pictures form the 1930’s showing this tree as a smaller existing tree. This tree is well-known to both IRS employees and the community and is already known as a landmark tree to them. This Water Oak is in near perfect condition with a full canopy. A five-year maintenance plan has been provided.

The Floyd Medical Arts Center Community Oak, Floyd Medical Center, Rome, 2008 

The Floyd Medical Arts Center Community Oak is a very large and very old Southern Red Oak. It has a diameter at breast height of seventy-two inches, a circumference of 18.8 feet, and a crown spread of one-hundred-thirty feet. The height of the tree is eighty-five feet. The date of planting is unknown.

The site of the tree, Floyd Medical Center, 308 Shorter Avenue, Rome GA 30165, is a site surrounded by history. Cherokee Nation leaders, John Ross and Major Ridge, once established residences near the site of the tree. One mile south of the tree is the entrance to Marshall Forest, once part of Cherokee Nation lands and one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the Ridge and Valley Province, a geographical corridor that extends from Pennsylvania to Alabama. The property on which the tree grew is also on the site of the Battle of Rome during the Civil War. Numerous artifacts from the Civil War have been recovered here. In 1910, Shorter Female College, formerly Cherokee Baptist Female College, relocated to the 150 acre hilltop across the street from the tree.

Dr. William S. Davis, who nominated the tree for the Register writes, “The Oak is a magnificent, stately, and very beautiful tree. It has stood for generations and should be preserved and memorialized for future generations and for the beauty of Rome. It is truly a significant and historic tree that brings joy and pleasure to all who see it.” 

Chinese Chestnuts of Glenridge Hall, 2004, Sandy Springs

Live Oak Trees of Bonaventure Cemetery, 2004, Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah

Mitchell County Courthouse Grove, 2004, Camilla

The Trees of Stonewall Confederate Cemetery, 2003, Griffin

Spring Bank Oak, 2002, Cartersville

The Candler Oak, 2001, Savannah

Triangle Holly, 2001, Gainesville

Brown Park Scarlett Oak, 2001, Canton

Five Hemlock Trees, 2001, Clayton

Yarbrough Oak, 2001, Oxford

Lanier’s Oak, 2001 Brunswick

Dubber’s Oak, 2001, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany

Trees on Historic Square, 1996, Covington

Female College Trees, 1996, Covington

The Mystery Incense Cedar, 1996, Agnes Scott College, Decatur

“Professor Dieckmann’s” Magnolias, 1996, Agnes Scott College, Decatur

The “Battle of Decatur” White Ash, 1996, Agnes Scott College, Decatur

The Friendship Oak, 1995, Albany

Tifton Magnolia, 1995, Tifton

Twin Magnolia, 1995, Macon

Oak Trees of Big Spring Park, 1995, Big Spring Park, Cedartown

The Tree That Owns Itself, 1995, Athens

The Carriage Trail Oaks, 1995, Albany

The Trees of the Sunset Historical Cemetery, 1995, Camilla

The Trees of Bulloch Hall, 1994, Roswell