as squirrels, raccoons and other small mammals.
“Spanish moss” – which is an air plant
that is neither Spanish nor moss - add an
eerie, ancient look to the Live Oaks and does
not harm the tree. “Resurrection Fern” also
uses the Live Oak as a host, without harming
the tree. This unique air plant is brown and
curls up when the air is dry, but unfurls and
turns green during and after a rainstorm –
returning to life, or resurrected, by the rain.
To catalog and honor the County’s largest and
oldest Live Oak Trees, GIFT is an active supporter
of the Live Oak Society, which was
established in 1934 and is managed by the
Louisiana Garden Club Federation. The Live
Oak Society members (with only one exception)
are the trees themselves – measured and
nominated for membership by local citizens
from Texas to Virginia. One human member
serves as the chairman of the Society and
maintains the registration records.
Saint Simons Island has over 130 Live Oak
Trees that are members of the Society. These
trees are named for historical events, locations
or individuals and are located throughout the
Island, at Fort Frederica, Gascoigne Park,
Neptune Park and on private property. When
you see a Live Oak Tree with a numbered
green tag, go to GIFT’s website,
TreesGlynn.org, click on the “Trees of Glynn”
link and find the button for the tree registration
number. Many registered trees have historical
notes about the location, the tree’s
namesake or a significant local event that the
tree may have witnessed during its long life.
The TreesGlynn.org website is the best place
to start if you would like to learn more about
how to become involved in GIFT to protect
and nourish the amazing trees of St. Simons
Island and all of Glynn County. Ways to contribute
to the cause include making a single or
monthly donation,
volunteering your time and spreading the
word. Post it, share it, talk about how our
trees enhance our area and our lives. The
more people you tell, the more help GIFT can
receive.
What’s Happening With
The Neptune Park Trees?
If you have ever visited Neptune Park in
the Pier Village of St. Simons Island you
have no doubt been enchanted by the
two giant live oak trees that have overlooked
the shining Atlantic for hundreds
of years.
Last year, after being hammered by tropical
storms Michael and then Irma, these
magestic oaks began dropping huge
limbs. Four arborists were consulted and
Daniel Lippi, a master arborist with
Advanced Tree Care of St. Augustine was
commissioned to save these island landmarks
named for freed slaves Neptune
and Ila Small, He determined the problem
was more structural than health related -
a good thing for the life expectancy of the
trees. He explained the real issue focused
on the weight of the limbs the tree was
supporting. Trees grow by adding limbs
and leaves and when they are not
trimmed they eventually can not support
the weight, and they start to shed limbs
and break apart. To alleviate this issue
and bring our great treasures back to
health, about 25% of the tree’s mass will
be taken away by selective trimming. The
posts supporting some of the remaining
large limbs are to lessen the weight supported
by the tree. While in recovery, we
ask that you treat these gentle giants with
care. Love them from a bit of a distance -
hug if you like, but please no climbing.
SUMMER 2019 65
/TreesGlynn.org
/TreesGlynn.org