"Post Oak Tree" redirects here. For the species of oak, see Quercus stellata.
The Tree That Owns Itself is an oak tree in Eufaula, Alabama.[1] A tree in the same location was given its freedom by E. H. Graves, the mayor of Eufaula, in 1935. Confederate soldier Captain John A. Walker previously owned the land that the tree is on, so the original tree was known as the Walker Oak. The deed also named the tree as the Post Oak Tree.[1] The original Walker Oak was destroyed in 1961 after it was hit by a tornado, and a new tree was planted by the International Paper Company to replace it.[2] An iron sign was affixed to the railings surrounding the new tree; at some point after 1961, the word "Post" was removed from the sign and it was then known only as Oak Tree.[2] The new tree was subsequently replaced again, but each replacement tree has been given the deed to the land.[3][4]
In 1935, former mayor of Eufaula, E. H. Graves, recorded a deed giving the tree ownership of itself, including its roots, branches, and trunk. It reads:
I, E. H. Graves, as Mayor of the City of Eufaula, do hereby grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the ‘Post Oak Tree,” not as an individual, partnership nor corporation, but as a creation and gift of the Almighty, standing in our midst—to itself—to have and to hold itself, its branches, limbs, trunk and roots so long as it shall live.
All replacement trees have also been given the deed to their land.[3][4]
PlaqueEdit
There is a large plaque on the fence surrounding the tree. It reads:[2][5]
THE TREE THAT OWNS ITSELF Planted and dedicated April 19, 1961 Replacing the Walker Oak Felled by wind April 9, 1961 Original deed granted by CITY OF EUFAULA To the [POST] OAK TREE April 8, 1936 "ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE" Replacement by International Paper Company
^ abThe WPA Guide to Alabama: The Camellia State. Trinity University Press. 2013. p. 359. ISBN9781595342010.
^ abcdCausey, Donna R. "An oak tree in Eufaula, Alabama officially owns itself – here is why – Alabama Pioneers". www.alabamapioneers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-03.
^ ab Mom0ja. "The Tree That Owns Itself". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2018-12-03.
^ abKazek, Kelly. "Tree that owns itself in Georgia? Check. In Alabama? Check. Bucket list complete". AL.com. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
^Scott, Tom, The Other Tree That Owns Itself, retrieved 2018-12-05
External linksEdit
The Other Tree That Owns Itself Tom Scott, 3 December 2018.
August 24, 2023
tree, that, owns, itself, alabama, tree, athens, georgia, tree, that, owns, itself, post, tree, redirects, here, species, quercus, stellata, tree, that, owns, itself, tree, eufaula, alabama, tree, same, location, given, freedom, graves, mayor, eufaula, 1935, c. For the tree in Athens Georgia see Tree That Owns Itself Post Oak Tree redirects here For the species of oak see Quercus stellata The Tree That Owns Itself is an oak tree in Eufaula Alabama 1 A tree in the same location was given its freedom by E H Graves the mayor of Eufaula in 1935 Confederate soldier Captain John A Walker previously owned the land that the tree is on so the original tree was known as the Walker Oak The deed also named the tree as the Post Oak Tree 1 The original Walker Oak was destroyed in 1961 after it was hit by a tornado and a new tree was planted by the International Paper Company to replace it 2 An iron sign was affixed to the railings surrounding the new tree at some point after 1961 the word Post was removed from the sign and it was then known only as Oak Tree 2 The new tree was subsequently replaced again but each replacement tree has been given the deed to the land 3 4 The Tree That Owns ItselfThe Tree That Owns ItselfEufaula AlabamaSpeciesPost oak Quercus stellata Coordinates31 53 54 N 85 08 46 W 31 89833 N 85 14611 W 31 89833 85 14611Date felledApril 9 1961 1961 04 09 since replaced CustodianItself Contents 1 Deed 2 Plaque 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksDeed EditIn 1935 former mayor of Eufaula E H Graves recorded a deed giving the tree ownership of itself including its roots branches and trunk It reads I E H Graves as Mayor of the City of Eufaula do hereby grant bargain sell and convey unto the Post Oak Tree not as an individual partnership nor corporation but as a creation and gift of the Almighty standing in our midst to itself to have and to hold itself its branches limbs trunk and roots so long as it shall live E H Graves 2 All replacement trees have also been given the deed to their land 3 4 Plaque EditThere is a large plaque on the fence surrounding the tree It reads 2 5 THE TREE THAT OWNS ITSELF Planted and dedicated April 19 1961 Replacing the Walker Oak Felled by wind April 9 1961 Original deed granted by CITY OF EUFAULA To the POST OAK TREE April 8 1936 ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE Replacement by International Paper CompanySee also EditList of individual trees Plant rights Individual trees in the United StatesReferences Edit a b The WPA Guide to Alabama The Camellia State Trinity University Press 2013 p 359 ISBN 9781595342010 a b c d Causey Donna R An oak tree in Eufaula Alabama officially owns itself here is why Alabama Pioneers www alabamapioneers com Retrieved 2018 12 03 a b Mom0ja The Tree That Owns Itself Atlas Obscura Retrieved 2018 12 03 a b Kazek Kelly Tree that owns itself in Georgia Check In Alabama Check Bucket list complete AL com Retrieved 2018 12 04 Scott Tom The Other Tree That Owns Itself retrieved 2018 12 05External links EditThe Other Tree That Owns Itself Tom Scott 3 December 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tree That Owns Itself Alabama amp oldid 1151097791, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
