Sunbonnet Soliloquy

By Jewell Ellen Smith

The Tree that Owned Itself

“Tall oaks, branch-charmed by the earnest stars,

Dream, and so dream all night without a stir.”

These lines, from John Keats, might well describe the stately old trees that line the streets of Eufaula, Alabama. And, for all we know all trees everywhere dream through the night.

In the day time, though, the Eufaula trees forget their dreaming and take up their normal duties of providing shade and standing guard in front of the antebellum mansions for which their city is famous.

On an April morning forty seven years ago (April 9, 1936) the City of Eufaula honored one of its veteran oaks by deeding to it the plot of ground on which it stood. Thus, technically, this tree -- then called the Walker Oak -- became the only one of its kind: “The Tree that Owns Itself.”

Flowers and shrubs were planted around the giant tree. An intricate wrought iron fence was erected to protect it. A lock was placed on the gate of the fence.

Later, appropriate markers and plaques were attached to the gate and to the posts so that all who came and went would know the history of this Post Oak. Even its Latin name, “Quercus stellata” was recorded.

Some person was thoughtful enough to have one marker inscribed with Joyce Kilmer’s well known line,

“Only God can make a tree.”

Eventually, another individual, or organization, saw that it would be well to have this famous historical tree included on the National Register of Historical Places. And so it was. An official seal on the iron fence declares as much.

Then came one of these dreadful storms which sweep up from the Gulf. And the great tree fell. Another was planted in its place. The young Post Oak sapling was dedicated on April 9, 1961, and a second marker was erected.

This second tree I had seen several times. (It was about ten feet tall when we came to Fort Rucker.) So, recently when our New Brockton friends, the Colley Pittmans, invited us to go up to Eufaula for the Alabama History and Heritage Festival, I persuaded them to stop by to see the famous tree.

(I was thinking to myself: “This tree’s story would make a nice HEDGEHOPPER piece. Sure! For the April issue. Perfect timing. Lots of Fort Rucker folks will come to Eufaula for the spring pilgrimage and art show, April 8-10. While they’re up here looking at the lovely old mansions and other historic places, they can visit the unusual tree.”)

It was already time to join the festival caravan which was to drive over to Clayton, Alabama. But we stopped a few minutes at the Shorter Mansion so that I could look for pamphlets and brochures that would give all the pertinent facts about the celebrated tree.

The hostesses at Shorter Mansion were very cordial. One explained that the present “Tree that Owns Itself” is the third one planted. The other hostess showed me a picture of the original Walker Oak, and, gave me a map to show how to get to the tree site.

The spot was easy to find. It is a triangular plot, right where Cotton Avenue and Highland Street merge and run into North Eufaula Avenue.

But there was no tree there!

We read the markers. We read the plaques. We admired the wrought iron fence, the daffodils, the circle of holly bushes and azaleas. Suddenly a blustery wind swept through the streets and big drops of rain came pelting down.

We scurried to the car and drove on to Clayton.

Next time I go to Eufaula, I hope to find out what happened to the second and third young oak trees.

It could be that they never let themselves be charmed by the stars, that they never learned how to dream. The tall Oaks should have taught them.

Published April, 1983. Click your browser’s “Back” button to return.