Reflecting on Candler Care Day and the Hidden History of Savannah's Oldest Tree

Article written for SCAD District — May 2024

(Graphic by Sofia Ritz)

On April 19th the Savannah Tree Foundation (STF), a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting Savannah’s urban forest, held Candler Care Day- a volunteer effort to help maintain the oldest tree in Savannah, the Candler, which also happens to be on SCAD property.

The tree, which resides in the parking lot of the Deloitte Foundry Building- adjacent to Forsyth Park- sits on a decent plot of grass (and weeds) gated off to preserve and protect the tree. The STF provided gardening gloves for participants to weed with, part of a larger 6- month effort to clean up and revive this Savannah landmark. Several locals attended, working together to provide the manpower this massive tree needed.

Volunteers weeded from 9 to 11 on that cloudy Friday morning, learning about the tree’s rich history, lying right under their noses. The Deloitte Foundry used to be the Candler Hospital, the tree’s namesake. It’s been looked after by the STF since 1984, when the organization's founders called for the pavement around the tree to be cleared off and fencing installed. They were able to protect the Candler Oak from loss to development, and continue surveillance to ensure this monumental tree is well taken care of.

(Photography by Sofia Ritz)

As volunteers weeded closer to the tree the STF members warned them to keep their distance, due to the colony of bees that have made their home within the Candler. They’re not living deep enough to cause any harm, so they haven’t been removed, but it’s fun to think that SCAD students aren’t the only bees making Savannah their home.

The STF employees working the event, Kat and Kris, were extremely informative and lovely to speak with. They work in a green train car out of the Georgia State Railroad Museum, and welcome visitors to come and learn more about their mission: to protect and grow Chatham County’s urban forest.

“They could plant trees.” Kat shared, when asked how the average Savannahian can take care of their local foliage. “Planting trees in private spaces is a great way to contribute, it’s harder for organizations like us to access private lands, so if you do that by yourself that’s a great way to expand the urban canopy.”

They open invitations to the upcoming community events the STF is hosting, a nursery potting event and tree paddle. The nursery potting is taking place this Friday, the 26th, from 10-12 at the STF nursery, and the tree paddle is from 9-12 on July 27th, at Ebenezer Creek. Also, the STF’s tree planting season runs from October through March, so look out for volunteer opportunities during that time!

There’s deep-rooted history in Savannah’s trees, and if you go out and take care of them, there’s no telling what you’ll learn.