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2003S1271-2 05/07/03


By:  Janek                                                      S.C.R. No. 52 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize the largest live oak tree in Texas, a 62-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.