Show a tree near you some love

By Jean Cole
jean@athensnews-courier.com

July 08, 2008 04:12 pm

— A black oak tree off Upper Snake Road should be “America’s Next Top Model.”
The 74-foot-tall tree has a 20-foot, 3-inch diameter trunk, making it the biggest tree in Alabama, according to U.S. Forester Doug Ezell.
Although a tree in Macon County is taller, it isn’t as thick. The black oak’s 112-foot-wide canopy has a stunning symmetry that graces Edward Minyard’s property in Limestone County.
She’s just a natural beauty.
Minyard recently nominated the tree for inclusion as one of the heritage trees of Athens and Limestone County.
A group of city and county tree lovers thought up the designation and would like residents to nominate notable trees based on age or historic significance.
Doris Welch, chairwoman of committee, hopes their efforts will help protect the trees for their beauty, shade and ability to supply oxygen and lead to enforcement, and possible strengthening, of the city’s tree ordinance.
“We have a tree ordinance, it just isn’t enforced,” Welch said.
That is unfortunate considering Athens was once designated a tree city, meaning it was a member of Tree City U.S.A, a program that provides direction, assistance, attention and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities.
Welch has talked to garden club members and formed partnerships with Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to help identify heritage trees. But she also wants others to participate. Some of the nominees so far include:
• Carol Roberts Balch nominated an oak tree grove off U.S. East because it stands where three generations of the Roberts family grew fruits and vegetables and operated a produce stand for more than 75 years.
• Tim Coffman nominated a magnolia tree that stands at the corner of Hine and Browns Ferry Road in Athens.
• Phillip Vaughan nominated a willow oak tree that stands on his land off New Cut and Lydia Corey roads in Limestone County.
• Don Barksdale nominated a pecan tree at 13215 Bradford Road in Athens.

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