Our goal is to find, recognize, and celebrate a historic tree in each of Texas’ 254 counties. We are already off to a big start!
To reach our goal, we’re asking every County Historic Commission to join us in this project by nominating as many as three trees for consideration. The timeline for this project is currently open ended.
Once trees are recognized as historic, we’ll feature them on our website. Our committee is currently exploring additional ways to provide information to the public about these trees. Ideas include publishing the information in book form and posting the stories of these trees in a format that can be downloaded from the internet. While these discussions continue, we want to begin collecting nominations.
We know many counties in Texas have trees that have previously been recognized as living witnesses to historic events. We will certainly entertain those nominations. However, we would like to focus on trees whose stories have not yet been told, or trees that have a rich history for the counties and communities where they grow. Examples include trees that might be associated with historic events at courthouses, churches, schools, or cemeteries. Using these criteria will enable those few counties that are tree challenged to contribute fully.
Please know that any contribution made by you or your group will be fully credited to your organization and those individuals who have participated. Likewise, all photographs or artwork will be fully credited.
We hope you will share this information with the members of your county historic commission and you will join us in this project. Should there be interest expressed by individuals in your communities, please encourage them to join our efforts. We will be glad to have them participate.
If you or your commission is interested in joining us to find, recognize, and celebrate the historic trees of Texas’ 254 counties, please email Chairman Marion Lineberry, and he will send you nomination forms and additional information.
You are invited to join the Texas Historic Tree Coalition along with Tammy and Ricky Rand on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. as we celebrate the historic proclamation and recognition of the Fort Parker Pecan Tree located on the 2100 block of FM 1245, Groesbeck, Texas 76642 (directions to tree). Following the tree …Read More
The Texas Tree Advocacy Workbook is a valuable tool for groups of like-minded individuals who want to preserve and protect our Earth’s natural assets for future generations to enjoy. Since 1995, the coalition has worked with grassroots organizations, city and county leaders/officials, public and private entities, and other institutions to preserve trees and urban forests …Read More
In 2017, the Graybeal family moved into the historic Smith home in McKinney, Texas. Dr. Gary Graybeal took steps to preserve and protect the magnificent old trees on his property. Research on the trees revealed a connection to E.W. Kirkpatrick and the rich history of Texas. In 1870, Pioneer Texas Horticulturalist Elbert W. Kirkpatrick (1844-1924) …Read More
The Texas Historic Tree Coalition has launched its Texas County Historic Tree Initiative and we need your help. Our goal is to find, recognize, and celebrate a historic tree in each of Texas’ 254 counties. To reach our goal, we are asking every County Historic Commission to join us in this project by nominating as …Read More
On May 11, 2018, we celebrated the addition of the Smith-Graybeal Trees in McKinney to the TXHTC Historic Tree Registry. The Smith-Graybeal Cedar Trees have ties to two of the founding fathers of American horticulture: pioneer Texas horticulturalist and nurseryman Elbert W. Kirkpatrick, and famed horticulturalist Luther Burbank, whose birthday is celebrated as Arbor Day. …Read More
To our knowledge, the Texas Historic Tree Coalition (TXHTC) is the only group in the Southwest that works to identify potential Indian marker trees. When our research began, there was no established protocol or set of procedures to follow. The process we use to submit, identify, research, and assist in recognizing a potential Indian marker …Read More
by Authors Steve Houser, Linda Pelon, and Jimmy Arterberry “… a comprehensive and valuable record of a little-known but fascinating Native legacy, and this book will excite anyone who enjoys contemplating the landscape of Texas.” – DANIEL J. GELO, Professor of Anthropology and Dean, University of Texas at San Antonio “There are times and places on …Read More
Mr. Dennis Downes, Author On January 25th, 2013, WFAA TV posted an article and video by Mr. David Schechter on Indian Marker Trees, entitled Bent trees in North Texas lead the way back in time, and featured Mr. Dennis Downes, explaining why these trees may have been bent by the American Indians in the past and …Read More