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Landmark & Historic Tree Register

Landmark & Historic Tree Register

Landmark & Historic Tree Register

Background

The Georgia Landmark and Historic Tree Register was established by the Georgia Tree Council to raise public awareness of the importance of trees to Georgia’s rich history and heritage.

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. 

Guidelines for Landmark & Historic Trees

Landmark and Historic Trees are those individual trees and groups of trees that have been designated as significant based on their importance to national, state, or community history.  They are frequently recognized for their contribution to the development of landscape architecture, forestry, city planning, and culture.  The following qualities are considerations for Landmark & Historic Tree distinction:

  • Integrity of location
  • Setting
  • Design
  • Progeny
  • Other key attributes for consideration are event association, aesthetic value, historical significance, and cultural contribution.

Trees recognized in this register are divided into two categories:

  • Landmark - Those trees that are an integral part of an individual community & its heritage.
  • Historic - Those trees in Georgia that are important to the culture and history of the state or   nation.

Landmark Trees must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  • The tree or group of trees is commonly recognized as an established and familiar feature of the community or a significant part of the community’s heritage,
  • The tree(s) were planted and maintained for educational purposes for more than 75 years.
  • The tree(s) was planted as a memorial to an individual, group, event or cause and is more than 75 years old.
  • The tree(s) symbolizes a historically significant individual, place, event or contribution.

Historic Trees must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  • The tree is identified with a historically significant individual or group.
  • The tree is located at the site of a historic event and significantly impacts individual’s perception of the event.
  • The tree dates to the time of a historic event at the location of the tree.
  • The tree is confirmed as the progeny of a tree that meets any of the above criteria. 
  • 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. 

Scroll down to nominate a tree for the Georgia Landmark and Historic Tree Registry.

Landmark and Historic Tree list

  • Athens Moon Tree, 2023
  • Colquitt County Magnolia on the square in Moultrie, 2021
  • Southern Red Oak on West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 2019
  • The Trees at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Rome, 2018
  • The Big Oak, Thomasville, 2017
  • Seven Mile Bend Oak, Richmond Hill, 2017
  • Bryan County Elementary Oak, Pembroke, 2016
  • William J. Strickland Live Oaks, Pembroke, 2016
  • Downtown Pembroke Live Oak, Pembroke, 2016
  • Pembroke Methodist Church Live Oak
  • J.E. Warren Live Oak, Pembroke, 2016
  • Pembroke Christian Church Live Oak, Pembroke, 2016
  • Heritage Park Willow Oak, McDonough, 2016
  • Village Sentinel Live Oak, Baptist Village, Waycross, 2015
  • Grandfather Tree, Brookhaven, 2015
  • Chatham County Live Oaks, Georgetown, 2013
  • Woodbine Live Oak Tree, 2012, Woodbine (Private)
  • Decatur Post Office Tree, 2010, Decatur
  • The Florida Torreya, 2010, Columbus
  • Southern Red Oak, Historic, Marietta, 2009 (Private)
  • Tulip Poplar, Historic Marietta, 2009 (Private)
  • Sand Post Oak, Augusta, 2008
  • Eastern White Pine Tree, Decatur, 2008
  • Dalton Liberty Tree, City of Dalton, 2008
  • White Chapel Memorial Gardens Red Oak, White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Duluth, 2008
  • The Athens Flowering Dogwood Tree, Athens Regional Medical Center, 2008
  • The IRS Water Oak, IRS Building, Chamblee, 2008
  • The Floyd Medical Arts Center Community Oak, Floyd Medical Center, Rome, 2008
  • 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

Application

The following application outlines the criteria for the Georgia Landmark & Historic Tree Register.  All applications will be reviewed and voted on by a committee of Georgia Tree Council members.  The Council realizes that some of the questions may be difficult to answer.  Please provide as much information as possible for our consideration. 

Should the tree be considered Landmark or Historic? Check all that apply.

Landmark: Must meet at least one of the following criteria. Check all that apply.
Historic: Must meet at least one of the following criteria. Check all that apply.

Nomination Information

Which are you nominating? Check one.

Please give the official or common name for the tree or group of trees based on the original owner, current owner, significant person or event associated with the tree, unusual or distinctive characteristic of the tree, association with the heritage of the community or other distinction.

Give the location and specific street address.  Include city and county.

If the tree is located in a rural area or does not have a street address, please provide detailed directions from the nearest major highway.  If the tree is located on public land (park, public right-of-way, etc.), please indicate whether it is city, county, state or federal property.

Description of Trees or Group of Trees

Please provide a narrative description of the tree or group of trees according to the following criteria:

  • Overall character and appearance of the tree including genus and species,  height, spread and age, trunk measurement and general health.
  • Structure of tree including branching pattern and height.  Note any hazardous limbs, significant wounds, surface root erosion or damage.
  • List any hazardous encroachments located near the tree including buildings, paving pedestrian or vehicular traffic, utility lines above or below ground.
  • Note land use within 100 foot radius.
  • Describe the general appearance and character of the surroundings and the general relationship of the property to the surrounding area.
  • Note if the tree is being maintained.  Is there a regular maintenance schedule?  If so, include a summary.

Condition of Trees or Group of Trees

Please evaluate the condition of the tree according to the definitions provided. Check one.

Summary of Historical Facts

Please provide a brief factual account of the history of the tree(s) being nominated, or the surrounding area that gives the tree(s) its significance.  Try to place the tree(s) in its local, state, regional or national context.  The following information should be included:

  • Owners of property where tree is located, if possible in chronological, descending order.  Please include the owner’s name, mailing address and telephone number.  If a corporation or other group owns the property, please indicate the name and title of a contact person.
  • Person who planted the tree or who designated the location,
  • Date of planting,
  • Major reason for tree’s significance.

Areas of Significance

Please check all of the areas of significance that apply to the tree(s) being nominated.

Public and Private Support

Please indicate if the owner supports the nomination of the tree(s) to the Register. If not, indicate why. Please check any of the following that have been involved in or informed about this nomination.

Images

Please upload photographs of the tree(s) and the surrounding area. Label your image files descriptively. Please include close up shots of the trunk, branch patterns, major wounds, surface under the drip line and photos that demonstrate the tree’s relation to its surroundings. 

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