It’s no coincidence that the live oak symbolizes strength, stability,
and steadfastness; for we cannot imagine what growing up in Louisiana
would have been like without spending a good deal of time among the
limbs of a majestic live oak tree.
| Dr.
Edwin Lewis Stephens, Founder
The Live Oak
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 43 members chosen by Dr. Stephens and
now boasts 6846 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.
|
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PRESIDENT
of the Live Oak Society
Seven Sisters Oak, #200 on the registry,
located at 200 Fountain in Lewisburg, LA; two blocks from Lake
Pontchartrain.
This oak is also the National Champion on the National Register of Big
Trees. |
Click
Photo for larger image
copyright
© 2006 Patrick Burke
|
copyright
© March 2007 Coleen Perilloux Landry |
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.
 |
Coleen
Perilloux Landry, 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
e-mail: CPL70600 (at) aol.com |
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