Feb. 22, 2013 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Two trees rich in Lone Star State history were added this week to the Famous Trees of Texas registry.

A large evergreen Anacua identified during the restoration of the Espiritu Santo church at the Goliad Historic Site near San Antonio and a towering bald cypress in McKinney Falls State Park known as “Old Baldy” join the elite group. Images of the trees can be viewed in an online photo album. 

Texas A&M Forest Service oversees the Famous Trees of Texas registry, which recognizes trees that have witnessed exciting periods and events in Texas history. The original 81 Famous Trees of Texas were memorialized in a book published by TFS in the 1970s and 1980s. Only 57 of those are still alive. The book, Famous Trees of Texas, is now presented in an online format (http://famoustreesoftexas.tamu.edu) with updates to reflect the status of the trees. 

As Famous Trees of Texas occasionally succumb to the ravages of time, nature and neglect, Texas A&M Forest Service seeks to augment this distinguished group through nominations of additional Famous Trees, such as the Goliad Anacua and Old Baldy. The general public can make nominations through the website that will be reviewed by a steering committee. The criteria include: 

• Tree is located at or near the site of a significant state, county or community event and must have been alive at the time of the event.
• Tree is directly connected to the War for Texas Independence, the Republic of Texas or another of the Historical Topics on the Famous Trees of Texas website.
• Tree is recognized by a Texas Historical Commission marker or is identified in historical records, newspaper accounts or photos.
• Tree is in reasonably good health and is likely to remain for the foreseeable future.

The agency is seeking nominations to bring the total number of Famous Trees to 100 by 2015, the 100^th anniversary of Texas A&M Forest Service. For additional information, visit http://tfsweb.tamu.edu.

Contact: