Hancock County Live Oak Tree Registration

An old postcard showing trees in the road
on Front Street, Bay Saint Louis

Quercus virginiana, also known as the Southern Live Oak, has been part of our landscape for as long as anyone can remember. These majestic trees with Spanish moss hanging from their wide-spread branches are iconic of the Old South. And even in previous times they enjoyed somewhat of a privileged status. When Front Street in Bay Saint Louis was widened, the trees were not cut but simply left standing in the road.

Live Oak trees in Hancock County have been registered with Mississippi's Société des Arbres since 1973, with the intention of protecting and conserving these natural resources that add historical, aesthetic and environmental value to our area. First coordinated by the garden clubs and since 1993 by the Hancock County Historical Society, it became a combined effort between the Historical Society and the Bay-Waveland Garden Club after hurricane Katrina in 2005.

As of January 2023, there are more than 800 trees registered in Hancock County.

HOW DO I REGISTER MY TREE?

If you have a tree that you think qualifies you can fill out our online request form.

Paper forms can also be picked up and dropped off at the Historical Society, or mailed to this location.

Hancock County Historical Society
108 Cue Street
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520

Click here to download a paper request form

After the form has been received, someone will contact you and make an appointment to come out to measure and record the necessary data for trees that qualify. If the tree is accessible, the owner does not have to be present when we measure. Requests are taken in the order that they are received. All documents are kept on file at the Hancock County Historical Society.

4"x6" plaque

A 4" x 6" green plastic plaque with the tree's registered name to mount on the tree can be ordered at $15.00 each. This plaque should be mounted on a wooden backing to attach to the tree itself. You can purchase several types of decorative, locally hand-crafted wooden backings from us ranging in price from $10 up to $25. This price will include installation of the plaque on the tree at the location of your choosing.

Trees that qualify will receive a Live Oak Tree Registry certificate. Additionally, we will furnish you with a completed application form for the state's registry, the Société des Arbres. There is a $10 fee per tree associated with this optional registration.

Recognized Oaks

If your tree does not qualify to be a registered oak, it can still be measured, named, and have a plaque installed on it. These are referred to as recognized oaks in Hancock County.

Outside Hancock County

If your tree is not located in Hancock County, or if you want to register a tree other than a Live Oak, you can contact the Société des Arbres directly: Mary Ann Westfall, Registrar, 228-424-0975, westfall2@reagan.com.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Trees considered for registration must be located within Hancock County, Mississippi, and have to be located on privately owned property.

The tree has to have a circumference of 9½ feet or greater, measured at 4½ feet from the ground. This puts the tree at an estimated age of 100 years or older.

If the tree forks below 4½ feet then measure the circumference of the largest fork at 4½ feet. If the tree forks at 4½ feet, then measure the circumference at the smallest place below the fork. Needless to say, swellings, buttresses or large lumps have to be avoided.

If you have a particularly odd-shaped tree and are not sure where to measure, don't hesitate to email us and ask.

The easiest way to measure circumference is to use a flexible tape measure or a non-stretch string and a ruler. Make sure the tape or string is perpendicular to the axis of the trunk and is not twisted, or your measurements won't be accurate.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at treeregistry@gmail.com.

PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED TREES

If your tree was registered more than 10 years ago we would like to hear from you as to whether your tree(s) is still alive. We will come out upon request and re-measure your tree to update our records and provide you with new documentation. You will also have paperwork provided to register your tree with the Société des Arbes.

TREE PRESERVATION ON THE GULF COAST

Our native trees, particularly our live oak trees, are one of nature’s gifts to us. Trees provide so many benefits to us in terms of shade, aesthetics, property value, utility usage and the like, that we need to be cognizant of how we can preserve them. And we need to be aware that we can unwittingly damage trees through soil compaction and common construction techniques. The information in the two links below provides detailed advice on advance planning and site preparation for construction. But a good rule of thumb to follow is “nothing under the dripline” (how far out the branches extend on the tree). This means protective fencing should be erected around the dripline of the tree and nothing should be placed inside it; no materials, no trucks, no equipment. Also avoid putting too much soil around the base of the tree as that will smother the roots.

Please be aware that Formosan termites can infest live oaks in this climate zone. If you suspect termite infestation you should have the tree inspected and/or treated by a licensed pest control company.

Should your tree suffer damage due to wind or lightning, you should have it cared for by a licensed arborist.

Preserving Trees in Construction Sites (Mississippi State University, 2004)

Plan Before You Grade (Southern Living, December 1985)

The Historical Society has printed materials on tree preservation available in addition to what's available on this website. If you have further questions about tree health, please contact the Mississippi State University Extension Service or a licensed arborist.

Shawn & Jim measuring a Live Oak

Live Oak with shoo-fly at 216 North Beach Boulevard, Bay Saint Louis