Giant Pecan Tree Still Going Strong

Mulberry Park residents and shoppers are treated daily to the grandeur of a landmark tree, a 54" diameter Pecan tree located at the entrance to the live/work community. Mulberry Park is a new multi-use development outside of Braselton, GA. The tree was saved during construction of the site in 2003 and 2004, when the new community was transformed from farmland. The tree used to be hidden next to an abandoned barn, struggling among thick undergrowth and rampant-grown swamp privet. Early in the project stages, Sivica Communities hired tree preservation expert, Jesse Milton, to join the team dedicated to saving this unique tree.

The tree was given plenty of room for its roots to remain protected. Milton worked closely with the landscape architect, Hughes Good O'Leary and Ryan, to design a drainage system under the proposed road that would assure that the Pecan didn't drown. A lightning protection system was even installed in the tree canopy.

Three and a half years later, the tree is still very much alive and thriving. The site, just 1.5 miles north of Chateau Elan, is easily recognized by the tree presence at the back of the retail area of Mulberry Park. This Pecan's 100-foot wide canopy and massive trunk provide a striking monument at the entrance to the residential areas, and serves as a testament to the benefits of teamwork during tree preservation.

Comments

Jade L Blackwater said…
What an excellent bit of tree news. I wish all cities were as dedicated to tree perservation in the face of urban development. So many big, beautiful trees are lost when farmlands become suburbs.

Thank you for sharing Jesse!
2:53 PM
Dave said…
Thanks for an educational post. I didn't know about some of these specific measures to protect trees from the effects of envelopment -- oops, I mean DEvelopment.
10:09 AM
Michelle Wood said…
I agree with JLB. The people involved deserve to be applauded for their efforts (extraordinary by today's standards!) not only to save this Elder of the tree kingdom, but to so beautifully incorporate it into the landscape.
1:30 PM
Anonymous said…
This is a great story, very heart warming. Here is Missouri we occasionally have fights light this, though they are usually about trees in the way of roads being built. Often, before the matter can be settled, someone girdles the tree in the middle of the night and kills it.
5:11 AM
Frugal Wench said…
This is a great story. Unfortunately, there is another pecan tree in Ga. that is not so lucky so far, and is fighting for its life.

http://hubpages.com/hub/savethistree
6:41 AM
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