One of the challenges that all island homeowners must face is obtaining insurance on their real property. Many major insurors openly discriminate against island property, leaving little choice to the resident. I recently got a notice that my insurance would be cancelled in 30 days unless I had a tree that they claimed was a threat to the house removed from my backyard. When I complained to the local agent, he replied, “Yeah, that happens a lot.” I called the insurance company and got the same runaround.
The tree in question, estimated at over a hundred years old, is simply majestic. So I reached out to a local arborist who said, “I would never cut that tree down; it just needs a haircut!” He went on to explain that live oaks do best when they have dense clusters of branches trimmed so that hurricane force winds can pass through, and that this trimming would not harm the tree in any way. A thousand dollars later, I was able to maintain my insurance coverage.
Live Oak botincal
To witness the elegance of Quercus virginiana, also known as the Southern live oak, you may wish to 1) overlook the construction of the roundabout at Frederica Road and King’s Way and 2) drive slowly south on Retreat Ave. toward The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club and be inspired by Avenue of the Oaks. This remarkable double row of trees was planted in 1826 by Anna Page King as the entrance to Retreat Plantation, which she had inherited, making these stately trees nearly 200 years old.
And if that doesn’t impress, head over the causeway to Brunswick, and cast your eyes on the visual delight known as Lovers Oak.
At the intersection of Albany and Prince Streets, Lovers Oak is estimated to be more than 900 years old. The tree’s trunk is approximately 13 feet in diameter, branching into ten main limbs with a diameter of 1-3 feet each. For a little perspective, this tree was flourishing when King Richard the Lionhearted died in Europe.
Wood from the live oak is hard, heavy, and difficult to work with, but very strong. In the days of wooden ships, they were the preferred source for the framework timbers. The natural trunk and branch angles were used for their strength. The frame of the USS Constitution was constructed from Southern live oak harvested here on Gascoigne Bluff. The density of the wood grain allowed it to survive cannon fire, thus earning her the nickname "Old Ironsides.”
My advice is to slow down, look up, and revel in the majestic beauty of our remarkable live oaks. They’re one more reason why we love St. Simons Island so much.
John Adams is American by birth and Southern by the Grace of God. He has never lived outside of Georgia, and commutes between homes in Decatur and St. Simons Island. Learn more about him at RealEstateCoffeeBreak.com.
