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State Champion Sugarberry Tree at Andalusia
Andalusia is more than just the home of a famous American writer. It is also the home of the Georgia state champion sugarberry tree! The specimen is located very close to Lower Tobler Creek Trail, which is part of the Bernard Cline Outdoor Learning Center. The champion sugarberry tree (Celtis laevigata) at Andalusia is over 100 years old. It is 56 inches in diameter and 1 75.84 inches in circumference. It is 92 feet high with a crown spread of 81 feet. Also known as the hackberry, the tree is noted for its distinctive bark, which bears wart-like bumps. Songbirds are particularly attracted to the sugarberry tree. As an official champion tree, this specimen will be eligible to be listed in the National Register of Big Trees maintained by American Forests in Washington, D.C.
The Foundation expresses appreciation to one of its fine volunteers, Marion Robinson, for the discovery of the tree and the submission to Scott Thackston at the Georgia Forestry Commission, who confirmed the tree as a champion. This is just another example of how volunteers are such an incredible asset to the operation at this literary landmark.
The Georgia Forestry Commission is a dynamic state agency responsible for providing leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia's forest resources. Commission professionals provide a wide variety of services including fire detection, wildfire suppression and prevention, emergency and incident command system expertise, rural fire department assistance, forest management assistance, the marketing and utilization of forest resources and nature services, and growing and selling quality tree seedlings for planting.
Presentation of the certificate on August 17, 2010
(Left to right) Eric Mosley, coordinator of Bartram Forest in Baldwin County;
Bob Lazenby, forest consultant for Andalusia; Craig Amason, director at
Andalusia; Marion Robinson, volunteer who discovered the tree;
Scott Thackston, Baldwin County Forester
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