ATHENS, Ala — Athens now has a new oak tree to replace the one that was destroyed in a storm in 2020.
Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly and City of Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks proclaimed April 24, 2021, as Arbor Day in Limestone County and the City of Athens. A new Willow Oak tree was donated by Grayson Bailey Landscaping & Design LLC. Athens Rotary Club, Alabama Forestry Commission and Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful were there for the dedication of the tree, which replaces the huge oak tree that was knocked down in a February 2020 storm.
The Limestone County Commission shared this on Facebook:
We were reminded today that loss is always followed by renewal. The hope for this new tree is that it will provide shade on a hot day, be beauty for us all to enjoy, and remind us of our commitment to reclaim and reinvest in our community.
When the old oak fell in 2020, it hit five cars. One of them had three people inside. Holly Hollman with the City of Athens said, “Thankfully they were okay. They were not injured, because mainly just the end of the limbs hit their car.”
The storm that rolled through Athens knocked down about 10 trees in the city, but the big oak tree stood out among them all.
“It just becomes a part of your downtown that’s the heart of the city, and it’s sad to see it go,” said Hollman.
Athens Resident, Gary Dubois, said, “I know everyone would gather around the tree. I came here as a kid. The tree was here then.”
People took to social media to share pictures and memories they have of the tree, from listening to music to watching parades under it.
“They used to do election returns here, and a lot of people would sit under that tree, bring their chairs and blankets, and wait to hear the election returns, so it has seen a lot of history,” said Hollman.
The tree even had a big part in a local’s wedding.
Dubois said, “My daughter, Wendy, had some of her wedding pictures taken in front of the tree, and I’ve come to take pictures for her since she lives in Maryland.”
People are already thinking of ways to honor the old oak tree.
“Athens Rotary, I think, has already started talking about what could we do,” said Hollman. “Could we get a tree that’s already well established, so that it’s a larger tree.”