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The Hill Country Chapter would like to invite you to submit your favorite tree for posting on our website. Simply send in a picture along with a description of your tree and it's meaning. |
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State Champion Texas Sophora (Eve's Necklace) |
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“This is a picture of me and Kim Camilli, State Oak Wilt Coordinator, measuring the current state champion Texas Sophora (Eve's Necklace) located in Llano County.
The story of this tree began with a call I received from a landowner who tried (in vain) to describe the tree to me. Bill Edwards lived in Liberty Hill (Williamson County) at the time, and asked if I could come to his place to look at some of his trees that were ailing from oak wilt. While I was there, Bill also asked me to open an envelope that they would place for me in the front door. The envelope contained some pictures of “that tree” he was trying to identify on his deer lease in Llano County. |
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I'll never forget this - In the envelope was a picture of what appeared to be a small live oak standing by itself in a field. A little confused, I continued to page through the photos. Close-up photos of the bark, then bloom, then the characteristic black seed pods gave confirmation - this was the largest Eve's necklace that I have ever seen! An excited trip to the deer lease in Llano County a week later confirmed that this tree was indeed largest specimen of its kind in the state of Texas! The measurements revealed that this tree was 36' tall, 65” in circumference, with an average crown spread of 36'. To this day, I'll still get a periodic phone call from Bill Edwards or his hunting buddy, Johnny Luckenbach. They give me periodic updates on the condition of “their champion” along with any “big deer” stories (and I mean, stories!) at the hunting lease. The Big Tree Registry for the state of Texas can be found on the Texas Forest Service's Homepage: http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu. Click on “urban forestry” then on “big tree registry”. Enjoy!” Jim Rooni of Austin, TX |
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Audrey and Leonard Dearing of Pflugerville, TX |
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"We are blessed with owning a property on the San Gabriel River. Along the river are numerous large trees - Sycamore, Cottonwood, Elm, Pecan and many others. One pecan tree is particularly outstanding in that it has a circumference of 20 feet 6 inches. This is a tree that is probably over 200 years old. During one of the recent storms through Milam County, lightening damaged our "big" tree but it still survives."
Audrey and Leonard Dearing of Pflugerville, TX |
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"When we first purchased our 13 room Wimberley bed and breakfast in 2003, we were in awe of the beauty of our Bald Cypress tress, that lined the creek beds. The previous owner told us 2 of our trees had been registered back in the 1940's, named the "Monarch" and the "Empress", and were declared to be 2,000 years old. Knowing nothing of such things, we contacted the Texas Forestry Service and they came out to see our trees. Confirming the "Monarch" to be old (no way to tell without core sampling and doubtful it was 2,000 years old), they measured and recorded our beautiful Bald Cypress. The stately tree sits in the center of our property with a huge hollowed out base. Every guest that checks in is drawn the tree's beauty and stature, an inevitably must have their picture taken inside the hollow. To date we have had 5 wedding ceremonies at the Monarch's base. We feel that our tree is the heart and soul of this peaceful Hill Country haven, known as Creekhaven Inn."
Pat & Bill Appleman |