ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - If you live, work or play in Albany, you’ve likely noticed the giant live oaks that canopy over the avenues, growing in farm fields, or outside the Marine Corp Logistics Base, but what you might not know is these trees didn’t get there by chance.

Former Albany City Manager, C. Quintard Wright, directed the live oaks be planted around the city during his tenure from the mid 1920s through the late 1940s. Now, Albany’s first official arborist continues to speak for the trees nearly 100 years later.

“I don’t think in that time period that they knew what cash or value benefits that trees provide. I’m just glad they did,” said Ili Si Malone.

The trees would go on to be featured in films, attract residents to the avenues, and become a symbol of strength during times of storm devastation.

But not all of the large live oaks were planted. Some grew naturally in farm fields and were preserved thanks to conservationists like Colonel A.E. Dubber. From March 1951 to July 1955, he was in charge of planning and constructing the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies in Albany. He was insistent on preserving the large live oak and aligning the installation with it.

“Part of the character of the Marine Corps Logistics Base are the trees that are located here. You get this great mix of, you know, buildings and wildlife and forest land. It’s actually fairly unusual, so it’s definitely part of the charm,“ said Julie Robbins, Natural Resources Manager at MCLB Albany.

That charm is protected by support cables and a lightning protection ground system that were added to the tree. The Marine base is also collecting acorns from Dubber’s oak to grow- just in case a replacement is ever needed.

Albany’s Arborist has an annual Arbor Day event with the local school systems, propagating the next generation of conservationists. And ensuring everyone—including current and future property owners—that the trees in Albany have value that money can’t replace.

“They say, it’s just live oaks and pines. There’s plenty more.’ and I’m like, ‘No, you don’t want that attitude. You want to preserve them.’ And like I said, people will come and see these trees,” said Malone.

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