SEE THE RED X ON THIS TREE.
This magnificent, ancient live oak was slated for death on all sides. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development had plans to build a road right through it. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers had plans to put a drainage system and a developer had plans to build a subdivision. I had plans to save it.
I took my case directly to the Governor of Louisiana, Governor Mike Foster. The results were---the DOTD revised their plans to go around the tree; the Corps of Engineers revised their plans to develop a better system so as not to hurt the tree and the developer built his subdivision with zoning approval provided he donated the land Old Dickory lives on to public domain. This is probably the only battle I shall ever win against the Corps of Engineers.
All of this came together within six months, the fastest time and most cooperation I have ever seen among government bodies and private citizens.
Because of the case of Old Dickory, the Louisiana DOTD has developed a plan to carefully study an area before they draw up engineering plans so as not to harm historical trees.