On North Avenue, in the corner of the corridor between the main entrances to the Historic and Downtown districts, what has become known as the “Town Tree” has stood and grown for nearly 100 years.
Planted by a Wake Forest University professor in the 1930s, it was believed then and long afterward to be a Lebanon cedar with Biblical significance. It was later thought to be an Atlas cedar and was nominated and won the Triangle J Council of Government's Capital Trees Program in 2012. The species was properly identified at last in 2014 by an NC State University professor of dendrology as a Deodar cedar. Derived from Sanskrit, Deodar translates to "Timber of the Gods." Native to the Himalayas, it was first introduced to Europe in 1822 and the United States in 1831, where it came to be called a California Christmas tree or Himalayan cedar.
As part of a branding campaign in 2005, the Town adopted a likeness of the tree for its official logo, proudly placing it on its new website and everything related to the Town of Wake Forest ever since. And while the tree itself has boldly stood the test of time in less-than-ideal conditions, continuing to produce cedar cones and gracing the space across from Simmons Hall with its protective presence for generations, this timber of the gods has sadly diminished in strength – neither a benevolent universal force nor urban forestry expert able to alter its declining trajectory after almost 100 years of life.
In order to commemorate and call attention to the longstanding tree and this corridor, the Town is undertaking efforts to honor the island where the cedar stands and make more of a connection with it to Downtown. In response to suggestions from concerned citizens, the idea was first presented to the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners in October 2021, when it received a consensus to move ahead and explore options.
In early May of 2023, Town Strategic Planning Director Lisa Hayes presented preliminary plans to the Board during a work session that include the installation of new sidewalks, signage, and planters along the nearly quarter-mile corridor, creating greater walkability between North Main Street and Downtown, offering informational facts about the tree and other landmarks such as the underpass and adjacent Southeastern Seminary’s Simmons Hall as well. While plans are not yet finalized and subject to change, funds will be appropriated, and the project will go forward in some form in the near future. Meanwhile, all that can be done is to mow the small island of grass surrounding this godly timber and give thanks for its green, leafy presence while we may.
To that end, the report from Luke Devores, manager of the Town's Urban Forestry Program, does not bode well for the cedar's extended longevity and raises questions about building a parklet around something with a limited lifespan. And while that could be a few more years, the tree may ultimately have to come down due to health and safety concerns.
Indeed, despite the minor miracle of its continued and apparently healthy existence, the Deodar cedar is "not native to the area and not in optimal condition," Devores reported to Town leaders. "The tree is under tremendous stress due to the impervious surface, lack of water, soil volume, emission pressure, etc." For its continued health and longevity, Devores advises "no changes whatsoever to that island: no mulch, no planting, and absolute minimum pruning." He went on to advise no changes to the turf, and no shovels in the critical root zone, which is the entirety of the island.
"I really appreciate all the work done on this," Hayes said. "I think we all agree that we need to do what Luke is recommending."
Despite these valid dendrological concerns, there are good reasons to go ahead with the proposed plans.
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership, believes this project could further contribute to the quality of life in town. "We welcome the project's potential to further enhance the aesthetics of this corridor and make more of a connection between it and Downtown," he said.
Mayor Vivian Jones shares that sentiment, saying, "We love our trees in Wake Forest, and this one especially. It's been nearly 20 years since we chose it as our logo. I think the time is right to move forward with these plans to honor the Town Tree and maybe spruce up this part of North Avenue a little in the process - as long as we do not disturb the tree or the island on which it sits."
