Common Name: southern magnolia
Scientific Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Category: Historic tree
Comments: We are the caretakers of a c. 1825 home currently known as "Oak Hill." However, most of the significant plantings on the property predate the current home. (We have an ancient box hedge that was commemorated in 1934 by the Daughters of the American Revolution as being 300 years old at that time. In 2006, that would make our hedge a 372 year old one. General Lafayette shelled the British in Petersburg from emplacements in this hedge.) I feel that I need to nominate our Southern Magnolia not only because of it's monumental size, age and beauty, but because I highly suspect that it may have been planted under Thomas Jefferson's supervision. Before Thomas Dunn built the current home on this property, Jerman Baker, ESQ., friend of Thomas Jefferson built his home in the same place. Part of Baker's c. 1777 stone foundation is incorporated into the walls of our c. 1825 winter kitchen. Knowing T. Jefferson's penchant for plants, and given the age of this specimen, and with 4 species of magn
Best time to photograph: Anytime
Nominator: Carla T. Takacs
This tree is not on public or publicly accessible property. The owner's name, address, and the exact location of the tree are not displayed to protect the privacy of these individuals. If you are the owner and wish to make this information public, please let us know.
County/City: Colonial Heights