Macon-Bibb says ‘goodbye’ to historic Government Center tree

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Tropical Storm Irma took a lot of trees down, including one some say is historic. The 25-35-foot piece of history that once stood tall in front of the government center, is no longer standing.

“This was a big one that we lost,” said Macon-Bibb County Parks and Beautification Director, Sam Kitchens. “Social media has just been blowing up with comments of how sad it is to lose something this historical and monumental here in downtown.”

But why is it so historic?

“Once you see this tree, everybody knows this tree,” said county Forrester, Randell Hunt. He says the Deodar Cedar tree was planted in the 50’s in memory of a fallen World War II soldier, James Wesley Bracken.

Since then its been through a lot. In 1965 it was hit by a car making a distinct curve in its trunk, which caused it to lean to a side a little.

Hunt says the tree was in good condition for its age, its roots were healthy. It just couldn’t stand the winds of Tropical Storm Irma.

“The tree survived the Mother’s Day storm of 2008, it just couldn’t survive this one,” said Hunt.

“We were actually in the bunker and the sheriff came in and said, ‘you know the tree out front is down’,” said Kitchens.

The Government Center has gone through many changes and this will be another, but Kitchens and Hunt say there will never be another tree like it.

The county is planning on putting another tree in its place. There are also plans to salvage the wood from the old tree and possibly make a bench out of it.