The Shade of the Friendship Oak, 11/03/2017

When I was looking at some postcards in a store in Biloxi, I first became aware of the Friendship Oak in nearby Long Beach, MS. There are many large southern live oak trees (quercus virginiana) in this part of the country. Friendship Oak is over 500 years old and is the centerpiece of the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf campus. It was formerly the Gulf Park College for Women from 1921 to 1971.

It is estimated that the Friendship Oak dates to 1487 which would make it a sapling when Christopher Columbus first came to America. 

The quercus Virginiana oak tree has downward sweeping limbs. In August of this year on of the tree's huge main limbs broke due to new growth and water weight from a rainy summer. The limb weighed tens of thousands of pounds and arborists carefully removed it. The rest of the tree is very healthy and is expected to continue to thrive. 

Sturdy support rods have been installed to help maintain the tree's health. Many of the limbs are resting on the ground, but continue to grow.

The Friendship Oak has been exposed to seawater multiple times during storm surges. Acorns have been gathered from the tree to produce seedlings for re-planting along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to replace live oaks destroyed by Hurricanes Camille (1969) and Katrina (2005). 

Following are the stats (which I find fascinating!) of the Friendship Oak: 

• 59' tall
• 155' crown spread
• 5.75' trunk diameter
• 20' trunk circumference
• 60' average length of limbs
• 7.5' average circumference of limbs
• >150' lateral roots

A plaque donated by the class of 1969, declares that "those who enter the shade of its branches will remain friends for all of their lives." 

When we were in Charleston, SC, we saw the Angel Oak, estimated to be 700 years old. Of the same species, it, too, was amazing (windsofdestiny-rvlife.blogspot.com/search?q=Angel+oak).

Near the Friendship Oak is this bronze statue, Lofty Returns by David Anderson. Dedicated in 2013, it conveys the concept "leave the nest and become a successful, productive citizen." It invites alumni, faculty, and others associated with the university to return to the "nest." Lovely gardens are planted in the area.

We spent a little more time wondering around the lovely campus. The class of 1950 donated this garden arch and bell. Many other large live oaks grace the front section of the campus. The Gulf of Mexico is right across the street (Beach Boulevard/Rte 90). 

On our drive back to the RV park, we parked along Beach Boulevard to give our sweet doggie, Sadie, some frisbee time (her favorite thing to do besides hiking). 

But she doesn't like getting all of that sand in her mouth. Now she takes the frisbee in the water to clean it before the next toss. Too funny. 

There are so many damaged piers along the coast here (due to storm damage). Also, heavy equipment can be seen in various locations where beach restoration projects are underway.

We are enjoying our first visit to this part of the country very much!