Tim Local live oaks, Preservation, Sapling Dig, Transplant Love

Thanks to our volunteers who rescued 15 saplings today!

Thanks to Brent for pre-identifying most of them.

Kathie, Chris, Cindy, Jody, Brent & Tim.

The thorny sticker bushes couldn’t stop the dedicated volunteers from getting to several larger saplings.

Check out the size of that sapling root where acorn was!

Diggin the saplin’s.

Pottin’ em up.

Thanks to McDonald Garden Center for donating their organic potting soil for this project!

Have saplings you’d like to donate to our project with Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech’s Agricultural Research Extension Center & McDonald Garden Center?

Start at our Contact page to let us know.

Hopefully all 15 saplings will grow up to be as pretty as this beauty on Pleasure House Point!
Tim Plant !, Preservation, Transplant Love, Treat not destroy

On Giving Tuesday, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have helped this be a banner year for Friends of Live Oaks!

At this time of year many reflect back on the accomplishments achieved and what made them successful – friends, partnerships, like-minded folks who care about the things we care about, good fortune – the list is long and very rich.


On Giving Tuesday, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have helped this be a banner year for Friends of Live Oaks! Some highlights:

  • We were able to receive our first grant – a major task is working with our partners at the Virginia Department of Forestry, McDonald Garden Center and the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center to help establish the first Live Oak Nursery in the Commonwealth to produce live oak seedlings for the public.
  • We are also utilizing the grant for updating and enriching our website (https://friendsofliveoaks.org/) – and starting work on a much-needed education and outreach program on the value and benefits of live oaks and maritime forests.
  • We participated in the Virginia Beach Master Gardeners Fall Festival and have started new partnerships with several organizations that will jumpstart in 2024.
  • We held a live oak and maritime forest walk at First Landing State Park.
  • We are working to expand our membership in Virginia Beach and also to our neighboring cities which have live oaks and maritime forests.
  • We have begun a partnership with the Virginia Beach Public Schools Environmental Studies Program Academy at the Brock Center at Pleasure House Point and started mentoring and supporting student research projects related to live aks and tree protection.

To continue and expand this work, we can use your support in several ways:

1- Consider becoming more active with Friends of Live Oaks and volunteer in one of our upcoming tree seedling harvesting projects to support the Live Oak Nursery – more info forthcoming soon.
2- Send us a photo of your favorite live oak, including where it is located and why you like this tree.
3- Consider becoming a member of Friends of Live Oaks if you are not already – you can make a tax deductible membership donation through PayPal or by check (see our website or go directly to https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P5SRPCK9JR5ML).
4- Consider making a special financial gift to the cause – no amount is too small and is tax deductible (see our website or go directly to https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P5SRPCK9JR5ML).

As we head into the holiday season, Friends of Live Oaks wishes you health, happiness and peace during this time with those special to you and for the year to come!

Clay