oakalley:

On June 28, 1995, Oak Alley’s allee’ of Virginia Live Oaks were inducted into the Live Oak Society of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, and today marks their 20th anniversary of being inducted into this honorary organization.

Oak Alley’s allee’ has been admired, used as a navigational tool for river captains, and to a large extent defined what “is” a plantation landscape. However, the Live Oak Society has firm guidelines that no amount of fame can circumvent: To become a member, a Live Oak must have a girth (waistline) of eight feet or greater. Girths over 16 feet are classified as centenarians. Of course, all of the trees that make up the allee’ exceed this by several feet, the largest measuring 25.5’.

The Live Oak, noted for its size, beauty and hardiness, derives its name from the fact that it is evergreen, shedding its old leaves only as new ones emerge. Indigenous to the southern coastal regions of the United States, it thrives with little or no care. It has long been considered one of the most beautiful trees in America, with its thick, strong trunks and long limbs that stretch farther sideways than upward. With mature heights reaching up to 75 feet and canopy spreads up to 100 feet it is a broad, massive tree that is often wider than it is tall at maturity. While Spanish moss is often found draped over the branches of mature live oaks, Oak Alley’s trees do not and that today, remains a mystery. (at Oak Alley Plantation)