Tree That Owns Itself — Attraction in Athens-Clarke County Unified Government

THE TREE THAT OWNS ITSELF of Athens, Georgia, is a White Oak Tree that, according to legend, has legal ownership of itself and of all land within eight feet (2.4 m) of its base. The tree, also called the Jackson Oak, is at the corner of South Finley and Dearing Streets in Athens, Georgia, United States. The original tree, thought to have started life between the mid-16th and late 18th century, fell in 1942, but a new tree was grown from one of its acorns, and planted in the same location. The current tree is sometimes referred to as the Son of the Tree That Owns Itself. Both trees have appeared in numerous national publications, and the site is a local landmark.

The earliest-known telling of the tree's story comes from a front-page article entitled "Deeded to Itself" in the Athens Weekly Banner of August 12, 1890. The article explains that the tree had been located on the property of Colonel William Henry Jackson.1] William Jackson was the son of James Jackson (a soldier in the American Revolution as well as a congressman, U.S. senator, and governor of Georgia), and the father of another James Jackson (a congressman and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia). He was the brother of Jabez Young Jackson, also a congressman.[2 (William Jackson was reportedly a professor at the University of Georgia, and is sometimes given the title of Doctor. The nature of his military service and the source of the title "Colonel" are unknown.)[4] Jackson supposedly cherished childhood memories of the tree, and, desiring to protect it, deeded to it the ownership of itself and its surrounding land. By various accounts, this transaction took place between 1820 and 1832.[5] According to the newspaper article, the deed read:

"I, W. H. Jackson, of the county of Clarke, of the one part, and the oak tree ... of the county of Clarke, of the other part: Witnesseth, That the said W. H. Jackson for and in consideration of the great affection which he bears said tree, and his great desire to see it protected has conveyed, and by these presents do convey unto the said oak tree entire possession of itself and of all land within eight feet [2.4 m] of it on all sides."

It is unclear whether the story of the Tree That Owns Itself began with the Weekly Banner article, or if it had been an element of local folklore prior to that time. The article's author writes that, in 1890, there were few people still living who knew the story.

Plaque at the site, weathered by exposure; the stone faintly details a passage from William H. Jackson's deed to the tree.

The story of the Tree That Owns Itself is very widely known, and is almost always presented as fact. However, only one person—the anonymous author of "Deeded to Itself"—has ever claimed to have seen Jackson's deed to the tree.

Most writers acknowledge that the deed is lost or no longer exists, if in fact it ever did. Such a deed, even if it did exist, would have no legal standing.

Under common law, the person receiving the property in question must have the legal capacity to receive it, and the property must be delivered to—and accepted by—the recipient.

William H. Jackson did, in fact, own the property on the opposite side of Dearing Street from the tree.

That plot included the present-day 226 Dearing Street, but in the early 19th century it was simply designated Lot #14.

The tree, however, is located on a portion of what had been Lot #15.

Jackson and his wife Mildred, along with a J. A. Cobb, sold their property to a Dr. Malthus Ward in 1832, the same year cited on a plaque as being the date of the tree's deed.

The Clarke County real estate indices contain no indication of when or from whom Jackson originally purchased the property, although much of the land in that area is reported to have belonged to a Major James Meriwether.

Even though Jackson may have lived near the tree as an adult, his childhood was actually spent in Jefferson County, not in Athens, making it less likely that he had experienced idyllic childhood summers playing beneath the...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tie_a_Yellow_Ribbon_Round_the_Ole_Oak_Tree

https://genius.com/Perry-como-tie-a-yellow-ribbon-round-the-ole-oak-tree-lyrics

"The song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree" by Perry Como describes a man returning home after a period of imprisonment (or potentially, a lengthy absence). He asks his love interest to tie a yellow ribbon around the oak tree in front of her house as a sign that she still wants him back. The main themes are hope, uncertainty, and the longing for reconciliation."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna

"Lyrics … The who's who of "Who's that?" is poised for the attack But my bare hands paved their paths You don't get to tell me about sad … If you wanted me dead, you should've just said Nothing makes me feel more alive … So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream "Who's afraid of little old me?" You should be … The scandal was contained The bullet had just grazed At all costs, keep your good name You don't get to tell me you feel bad … Is it a wonder I broke? Let's hear one more joke Then we could all just laugh until I cry … So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream "Who's afraid of little old me?" I was tame, I was gentle till the circus life made me mean "Don't you worry, folks, we took out all her teeth" Who's afraid of little old me? Well, you should be … you should be (You should be) you should be You should be (you should be) You should be (you should be) You should be … So tell me everything is not about me But what if it is? Then say they didn't do it to hurt me But what if they did? … I wanna snarl and show you just how disturbed this has made me You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me So all you kids can sneak into my house with all the cobwebs I'm always drunk on my own tears, isn't that what they all said? That I'll sue you if you step on my lawn That I'm fearsome and I'm wretched and I'm wrong Put narcotics into all of my songs And that's why you're still singing along … So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream "Who's afraid of little old me?" I was tame, I was gentle till the circus life made me mean "Don't you worry, folks, we took out all her teeth" Who's afraid of little old me? Well, you should be … you should be (You should be) you should be 'Cause you lured me (you should be) And you hurt me (you should be) And you taught me … You caged me and then you called me crazy I am what I am 'cause you trained me So who's afraid of me? Who's afraid of little old me? Who's afraid of little old me? Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Taylor Swift Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group"

https://genius.com/Billy-joel-vienna-lyrics

"[Verse 1] Slow down, you crazy child You're so ambitious for a juvenile But then if you're so smart Tell me why are you still so afraid? Mm Where's the fire, what's the hurry about? You'd better cool it off before you burn it out You've got so much to do And only so many hours in a day, hey

[Chorus] But you know that when the truth is told That you can get what you want or you can just get old You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through, ooh When will you realize Vienna waits for you?"

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Cx4yrFaX8CeHwBMReOWXI?si=ebe7e71e75eb47c8

IG:...

I had a busy week with my business and lots of scheduled investor meetings, but when I heard about this tree I had to see it right away. I cleared my calendar, booked a flight and hotel and rented a car.

I knew this had to be something special, so arrived early evening, went to the hotel and straight to bed. You have to be well-rested for this kind of pilgrimage. Now, don’t think I would do something this amazing without company. I arranged an impromptu high school reunion to visit the tree. About 12 old buddies showed up.

Unfortunately, the next day was torrential downpours. We got up at dawn and had breakfast. But, the heavy rain was unceasing. About half of us decided to stay another day and cross our fingers the weather would clear. So, I had to cancel more important meetings.

Voila, the next morning was beautiful weather. Those of us that decided to stay went for a hardy breakfast. You don’t show up at such an iconic place on an empty stomach.

I have to say the tree that owns itself is heart warming. And smart! Why haven’t other trees looked after their property rights. But, as a landowner I think the tree let me down. Usually, when you visit someone’s hearth and home they invite you in for a cup of tea or glass of lemonade. Not this tree! It just sat there in silence. Didn’t say hello, how are you. Not very neighborly.

Anyhoo, I’m giving it 5 stars for its property rights smarts, not for its sociableness.

When I returned home, having abruptly cancelled my meetings, the investors backed out. We had to shut down the business and fire about 60 employees. But, it was worth it.

I just googled “how many trees are there on earth.” You know what? Only 3.04 trillion trees. I feel honored to have gotten to know this tree in my little way. It was both more and less...