Ten trees, including the Ogden Oak, have been added to a list of more than 50 heritage trees by Wilmington’s Tree Commission.
Commission vice chair Blair Walton announced the newest additions to the city’s heritage trees during the Jan. 19 Wilmington City Council meeting. Heritage trees are those the commission decides represent an important aspect of the city’s history or natural landscape due to age, rarity, grouping, overall beauty or historical significance.
A live oak on Market Street known as the Ogden Oak was among those designated as a heritage tree this year. The oak, which is located on a N.C. Department of Transportation right-of-way, was the focus of transportation groups in late 2015 when the N.C. DOT proposed a widening of Market Street that would put the oak in jeopardy.
Wilmington’s transportation advisory committee voted Oct. 28, 2015, to encourage the N.C. DOT to not widen the lanes on Market Street in advance of Middle Sound Loop Road in order to minimize the impact to the both the oak tree and the Mt. Ararat AME Church Cemetery.
Walton said it is important to affirm the importance of the Ogden Oak in light of the recent chopping of another live oak in a N.C. DOT right-of-way. That tree, which stood near the Sonic restaurant on Market Street and Cinema Drive, was cut down due to a N.C. DOT project to widen Kerr Avenue.
“It’s really important to recognize this tree,” Walton said, “especially in a year when we’re mourning the loss of the Sonic Oak.”
Two other massive live oaks were also designated as heritage trees. An oak located at a residence in Forest Hills was recognized for having a spread of 92 feet and an oak located in College Acres received the designation for both its 82-foot spread and for having “that classic live oak gnarled branch look that we all love,” Walton said.
Another live oak on Towles Road was recognized not for its size, but for its unique growth. It is leaning at a 45-degree angle and some of its root system is exposed.
“It is believed to have been blown over by Hurricane Hazel and it’s been growing that way ever since,” Walton explained.
Laurel Oaks at the Wilmington National Cemetery off Market Street and the Wilmington Housing Authority off Dawson Street and a Darlington Oak at a residence on Camellia Drive were also designated as heritage trees.
Additional tree species also made the list. A sweet gum tree on Fowler Street was recognized for its size.
“Sweet gums don’t typically grow to be this large,” Walton said, and also for the amount of gumballs it produces.
A Japanese maple at a residence on Pembroke Jones Drive was recognized for its spread of 35 feet.
“It’s a real showpiece,” Walton said.
Unusual groupings of trees can earn the heritage designation, like four magnolia trees on Chestnut Street near the B’nai Israel Congregation.
“They really set this site apart,” Walton said.
Wilmington’s tree commission started labeling heritage trees in 2008 as a part of its mission to “promote, protect and enhance the urban forest,” Walton said.
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