Welcome to the 100 Oaks Project

 

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E. D. White Oak, near Thibodaux, LA

This blog chronicles my search to document the 100 oldest and notable live oak trees in Louisiana. The elder oaks included in this project are primarily “centenarians” – more than 100 years old. Their sizes range from approximately 17 ft. to 40 ft. in circumference and their lives span a time period stretching between 100 to 600+ years, over several human generations. The oldest oaks documented here were possibly mature trees before Europeans settled Louisiana in the early 1700s.

This project began with a search for the original 43 live oaks that in 1934 became charter members of the Live Oak Society when it was first proposed by Dr. Edwin L. Stephens in an article he wrote for the Louisiana Conservation Review. From my original search, I found that almost 20% of these 43 member trees had been lost in the 80 or so years since the Society was founded — mostly due to urban expansion, development, storms and old age.

The ultimate goal of this effort is to raise awareness for the importance of conservation and preservation of historic live oak trees as an important cultural and historic resource – most areas of Louisiana and the South don’t have laws protecting these gentle icons of Southern culture from removal or abuse by humans.

 

10 thoughts on “Welcome to the 100 Oaks Project”

  3. Concepcion and Shawn, as I suggest in my blog post, first, if your tree is registered with the Live Oak Society, contact them for help. And contact your local authorities – town/city council members, garden clubs, master gardeners, etc. I can’t tell from your brief message how the railroad destroyed your tree, but you have to deal with this at a local level – you need neighbors to help contact whatever local authorities deal with issues concerning old trees and the railroad. I am in New Mexico currently and am too far away to help
    Good luck, WG

  4. I need help the railroad destroyed a tree over 500 years old but it’s still in great stands to save the size and make it to a moment for our city. 361-218-8190 call me please Bloomington texas 77951. Shawn Gonzales

  5. Francis, I can’t recall if I responded to your comment or not… I’ve been working on other projects and if I didn’t respond I apologize. Thanks for this info about your great-great grandad. I always appreciate hearing about these bits of live oak history in NOLA.

  6. Francis Buhler, my great-great grandfather, worked as a gardener at the Washington Avenue campus of Sophie Newcomb in the late 1800s up to 1912. It’s my understanding that he was responsible for planting many of those oak trees, as well as maintaining the gardens. I have a copy of his diary, including an obituary and the text of the congratulatory letter he received from the college upon his retirement. Happy to share if you’re interested.

  8. I live in Hammond. My live oak out front – “King” as named by the DAR (I have a certificate) – I am sure is several hundred years old. I would love for someone to come look at it and give me their opinion of age and if there is anything particular I can do to take care of him. (There are 2 other live oaks in my front yard, one a little larger than half the size of King who I call Queen and the smallest one I call Prince.) Hammond has lots of gorgeous live oaks, especially the Friendship Oak on the SLU campus. Wondering if we could get a ballot issue next time we vote protecting these trees. Thank you.

  10. The old Elmwood Plantation live oak trees in Harahan La, are they protected? they have to be at least 300 years old. Houses are being built on the site and at least one tree was already removed and others are being cutback to make way for new houses, It’s a shame. I just hope the owners are going through the proper channels when dealing with these beautiful ancient trees. The site is near the Huey P Long Bridge, the houses are located on Bourgeois Ct. just off River Road

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