Dr. Edwin Lewis Stephens, Founder The Society was founded in 1934 by Dr. Edwin Lewis Stephens, the first president of Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana in Lafayette). The Society promotes the culture, distribution, preservation and appreciation of the live oak tree, scientifically known as Quercus virginiana. The Live Oak Society began with 45 members chosen by Dr. Stephens and now boasts 6092 members in 14 states and is under the auspices of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. The first president was "The Locke Breaux Oak" in Taft, Louisiana, who lost its life in 1968 due to air and ground water pollution. Its successor and current president is the "Seven Sisters Oak", formerly known as "Doby's Seven Sisters". The owner who first named the tree was Carole Hendry Doby, who was one of seven sisters. "Seven Sisters Oak" is located in the Lewisburg area of Mandeville, Louisiana on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Estimated by foresters to be 1200 years old, this tree has a girth of over 38 feet.

REGISTRY

• To become a member, a live oak must have a girth (waistline) of eight feet or greater.
• Girths over 16 feet are classified as centenarians.

The first vice-president is "Middleton Oak" in Charleston, South Carolina, with a girth of 31 feet. The second vice-president is the "St. John Cathedral Oak" in Lafayette, Louisiana, measuring 27 feet. The "Lagarde Oak" in Luling, Louisiana, is third vice-president and measures 29 feet. "Martha Washington Live Oak" in Audubon Park in New Orleans, Louisiana, is fourth vice-president and measures 28 feet in girth. The largest registered stand of 249 live oaks is in City Park in New Orleans.

2001 - 2011 Chairman Only one human is permitted in the Live Oak Society, according to the by-laws of the Society. That person is the chairman, and she is responsible for registering and recording the Live Oak Society members. For inquiries, further information, or to register a live oak please contact: Coleen Landry 3609 Purdue Drive, Metairie, LA 70003 504- 887-1800 e-mail: CPL70600@aol.com .