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S.C.R. No. 52
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the largest live oak tree in Texas, a 67-foot-high
specimen, 10.25 feet wide, located in the San Bernard National
Wildlife Refuge in Brazoria County; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Forest Service has officially crowned the
tree the new state champion; found deep within the forest of the
wildlife refuge by federal wildlife biologist Michael Lange, the
tree has been added to the state's Big Tree Registry, which is a
record that has been kept since the 1940s of the largest of Texas'
250 tree species; and
WHEREAS, The tree replaces the 43-foot-tall, nine-foot-wide
giant oak in Goose Island State Park, which had held the title of
largest live oak in Texas since 1966; and
WHEREAS, The Lone Star State is home to 69 national
champions, which places it behind only two other states for having
the most oversized tree species; many of the Texas species exist
nowhere else; and
WHEREAS, The San Bernard live oak is estimated to be more than
200 years old and has likely been nurtured by the nutrient-rich
soils laid down in the forest each time the Brazos, San Bernard, and
Colorado rivers flood; it is in a densely wooded area surrounded by
many large oaks which probably protected the tree from being
knocked down in the 1900 hurricane; and
WHEREAS, There is both historical significance and an
environmental value to large trees, since they are credited with
controlling air pollution and purifying water; the biggest of any
species has a uniqueness that people are drawn to, and the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service hopes to soon start tours to the
largest live oak in Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the live oak champion in Texas located in the
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared in honor
of this tree and its discovery.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 52 was adopted by the Senate
on May 20, 2003.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 52 was adopted by the House
on May 22, 2003.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor