55 MISC. PUBLICATION 295. U S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



The Oak That Owns Itself (white oak), near Athens. This oak is 

 unique in that there was willed to it by its owner. William H. Jack- 

 son, "for and in consideration of the great love I bear this tree and 

 the great desire I have for its protection * * * entire possession of 

 itself and all land within 8 feet of the tree on all sides.'' This deed, 

 dated 1820. is recorded in the town clerk's office (fig. 27). 



Big Oak (a live oak), Thomasville, cared for as a historic treas- 

 ure, stands near the intersection of two paved streets. At the time 

 the contract for paving was let, the city outlined specifications cover- 

 ing its care. Also an application of 200 pounds of fertilizer is made 

 each year to its roots, and the tree receives water as needed during 

 hot, dry weather {39). (See also Trees notable for unusual size or 

 age. p. 77.) 



INDIANA 



Famous Elm at Huntington, saved by a change in the architect's 

 plans for the building of the Christian Science Church of Hunting- 

 ton. The architect redrew his plans to give the tree plenty of root 

 and branch space, leaving out the organist's room and a Sunday 

 school classroom. 



Constitutional Elm, Cory don. (See Trees associated with the 

 building of the Nation, p. 26.) 



KANSAS 



Delaware and Wyandotte Maple, at Olathe. under which the Dela- 

 ware and Wyandotte Indians made a treaty of peace. In 1905 the 

 city council and street department decided that this tree would have 

 to come down, since it stood in the way of a proposed sidewalk. Mrs. 

 Jennie Baker and her daughter, on whose property the tree stood, 

 marched around and around it to prevent the crew ready with axes 

 from doing their work of destruction. Three-fourths of the popula- 

 tion of Olathe came to their assistance and protected the tree until 

 legal aid was obtained for its permanent protection. 



KENTUCKY 



A sycamore with special protection, Pippapass, Knott County. 

 Thirty-six square feet of land, sufficient to protect it from inter- 

 ference so long as it shall live, was deeded to the sycamore by deed 

 of conveyance filed in Knott County, on August 20. 1918. "for and 

 in consideration of its shade, coolness, and inspiration." It shades 

 a home known as the House of the Sycamore Tree, in the Caney Creek 

 Community Center, and has been christened the Freed-Budd Tree, 

 probably in compliment to two of its well-wishers. 



MASSACHUSETTS 



The beautiful Whittier Elm. near the poet's birthplace at Haver- 

 hill. When the place was sold in order that the poet's mother might 

 live near the Quaker Church in Amesbury, the new owner proposed 

 to cut down the tree. An admirer of the poet then offered to pay a 



