Algood Middle 250-Year-Old Tree Registered As Historical Landmark

The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council gave a 250-year-old Scarlet Oak Tree outside Algood Middle School Historical Landmark statues.

Algood Middle Stem Teacher Wren Goeckes said she submitted an online application for the tree to be recognized. Goeckes said she has long admired the tree, watching hundreds of children climb and sit in it over the years. Algood Middle Principal Rusty Darley said that the Landmark Status means a lot to students and staff.

“I think it’s a great honor to bring recognition to Algood Middle School and also to our STEM and Gardening Program,” Darley said. “Mrs. Wren has done a terrific job in getting our students involved and to the greenery that she has put out there.”

Goeckes said that the tree acts as a great object for children to play on after being cramped up in school all day. Goeckes said as the school has increased its overall activities conducted in the woods, the tree has felt increasingly like a part of the school.

“We found a lot of historical artifacts in that woodlands,” Goeckes said. “We have found pottery shards and old tan forest mills. We have found old buckles and old pieces of leather buried in the ground.”

Goeckes said following her submission, she was contacted further for follow-up questions regarding the tree.

“They had the experts look at the tree, and they determined that it was at least 250 years old and it was worthy of being recognized by the committee,” Goeckes said.

Goeckes said the Scarlet Oak Tree is part of an estimated two-acre arboretum with 130 different species of trees at Algood Middle School. Goeckes said next year the school will be registering the arboretum with the state as well.