GIFT

Golden Isles Fund for Trees Quercus virginiana

The Mission is to enhance the live oak tree canopy in Glynn County through education, preservation, awareness and advocacy.

GIFT EXPANDS ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH

THE COMMUNITIES OF COASTAL GEORGIA FOUNDATION

Golden Isles Fund for Trees (GIFT) began as a component fund of the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation in November 2015. By June 2016, with your support, we expanded to our own non-profit and 501(C)(3) status.

In 2024 we are returning to our “roots” and “growing” our relationship with the Foundation. Our Tree Team will dedicate our efforts to the work of preserving and expanding our tree canopy in Glynn County, while the Foundation will process and manage our donor funds to support our endeavors.

Going forward, all GIFT donations will be accepted by the Foundation and held in the GIFT Fund. Our DONATE button will link you to the dedicated giving page for GIFT at the Foundation.

Checks should be made payable to Coastal Georgia Foundation with “GIFT Fund” noted in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to GIFT at PO Box 20284, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.

We are grateful for your continued support of our mission. Please contact us at info@treesglynn.org to suggest programs or projects, or to join our Tree Team.

The Lover’s Oak

According to local legend, Native American braves and their maidens would meet and kiss under the tree's branches

The Lover’s Oak is thought to date from the 12th century. It is located at 828 Albany Street in historic downtown Brunswick, Georgia.

Read All About The Legend
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  • Tree Name – Frank Vande Linde Live Oak

    Tree Number:302

    Location: Prince and Newcastle Streets

    Approximate Age: 108

    GIrth (feet): 9’5”

    History:Frank Vande Linde (1924-2024) served as chairman of the Brunswick Park and Tree Board for 10 years. He was quoted in the Brunswick News as saying, "we've got some of the most beautiful trees anywhere, but they are getting old." Under his leadership, the Tree Board began planting 50 live oaks each year in the city. The four live oaks in Kings Square were the first trees he had planted. He was a forester for 39 years and embodied the proverb, "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit."

    Google Map

  • Tree Name –The Louisa Oak

    Tree Number: 305

    Location: 701 G Street Brunswick, GA

    Approximate Age: 227

    Girth (feet): 19’9.25”

    History: The Louisa Oak is named for Louisa Robert Carroll who was an Olympic swimmer in the 1932 games. This tree was dedicated upon the arrival of the Olympic Flame at this spot on July 10, 1996 and in commemoration of the 1996 Olympic games in Georgia.

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  • Tree Name – The Nan Marie O'Hara Living Oak

    Tree Number: 165

    Location: Small Playground by the pier

    Approximate Age: 165

    Girth (feet): 12’

    History: This large Live Oak is named in memory of Nan Marie O'Hara (1946- 2019). Nan Marie is remembered by her many friends for her love of our local history and the Live Oaks of the Golden Isles. This interest led Nan Marie to GIFT (Golden Isles Fund for Trees) where, in 2016, she took on the job of recording the dimensions and registering more than 100 specimen Live Oak trees (the first three were at her home on the South end of St. Simons Island). Nan Marie named them and wrote a brief history of each tree. Nan Marie once said, "that I can almost hear the sound of hoofs on the horses in the battle of Bloody Marsh!" Nan Marie’s project became the GIFT Tree Registry which is now online for all to enjoy. Her legacy lives on today.

    Google Map