Dead and Diseased Tree Removal
Almost as old as the city that grew around them — these magnificent oaks have survived hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, lightning, freezes, droughts, flooding, erosion and diseases.
Purchased in Mobile and planted here in 1879 by Nathaniel H. R. Dawson, these grand old oaks have marked Live Oak Cemetery in Selma for the past 140 years, growing upward and out, collecting Spanish moss and imparting their fractal beauty in the cemetery. Seedlings from these trees have propagated around the entire Selma area and contribute to Her unique beauty and are now found in all three cemeteries as well as the Historic District.
Over 60,000 tourist visit and photograph these beautiful trees each year as well as the beautiful markers around the cemetery.
Sep 25, 2019 - It is with great sadness that we have to remove three of these dead/ danger trees. So many have gone before and have not been replanted. We have a lot of tree planting to do to fill this gap.
As Selma approaches her 200th birthday I hope that you will be generous and donate so that we can restore all three of Selma’s cemeteries to their past glory. We are a non-profit staffed by volunteers so 100 percent of your donations go directly back into the cemeteries. Give Selma the best birthday present you possibly can. Whether it is $5 or 5 thousand dollars it will be a big help and your donation is tax deductible.
Fungal diseases that promote decay inside oak trees are collectively called sap or heart rots because of the damage they cause to the sapwood and heartwood. ... The outer appearance of an oak may give no clues that the tree is sick until fallen limbs reveal rotten or hollow cores.
From The Story of Selma by Walter M. Jackson:
"The council took steps December 4, 1879, which are still paying Selma citizens in beauty. W.H. Johnston, John P. Tillman and R.J. Fowlkes serving as a committee for the cemeteries brought in a report and recommendations which the council adopted. The committee had got Col. N.H.R. Dawson and through him Jonathan Haralson, George O. Baker and N.D. Cross to help plan the beautification of Live Oak Cemetery. Col. Dawson contacted a James Caldwell of Mobile who agreed to furnish “80 Live Oak Trees, 6 to 7 inches in circumference at $2.50 each; 80 Magnolia Grand, 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 feet high at $2.50 each; total $400.00” The committee reports among other things, “We are especially indebted to Col. N.H.R. Dawson for services rendered your committee in effecting the contract and for suggestions made by him.” And so from testimony of his counterparts Selma has mostly to thank Col. Dawson for the beautiful oaks and magnolias and arrangement of them in Live Oak Cemetery."
Old Live Oak Cemetery - October 6, 2019
Severe weather hasn’t even hit yet and we have these massive limbs falling weekly. As the grass growing season comes to an end we desperately need to focus on tree trimming to protect lives and grave markers. This is a task that we cannot do ourselves so we will have to hire professional tree people under the direction and guidance of our State Arborist.
New Live Oak Cemetery - October 3, 2019
Another large limb breaks off of one of the Laurel Oak trees and hangs up in a tree across the street.
New Live Oak Cemetery - June 27, , 2019
Large limb breaks off and falls onto numerous grave markers.
Old Live Oak Cemetery Oct. 8, 2019
Volunteer Bill Mott cutting and cleaning up a large limb.
