Horticultural society names tree contest winners

The Charleston Horticultural Society has named five "Outstanding Tree" winners in its first competition to highlight the Holy City's exceptional trees and their caretakers.

Following are the winners in the contest's five categories:

--Residential: Jan MacDougal, for a 50-foot-tall Magnolia grandiflora with dense limbs and foliage extending from its crown to the ground.

--Commercial/industrial: Henry Hay of Hay Tire Co., for a large, spreading live oak that the company has cared for, ensuring that it got professional attention after Hurricane Hugo.

--Ecclesiastical: Trinity Methodist Church, for the live oak on the church's property along Meeting Street.

--Nonprofit: Bon Secours St. Francis, for a massive live oak, part of a grove of oaks that adds a comforting presence to the hospital grounds.

--Public sector: The city of Charleston, for the sprawling oaks at Cannon Park, the site of the old museum.

Honorable mentions were awarded to Harold Pratt-Thomas for a live oak, Susan W. Ravenel for an American elm and Phyllis Smoak for a live oak.

Dr. Jack Rhodes, a member of the horticultural society's Charleston Trees committee, developed the idea for the awards. Committee co-chairman Mayo Read says members hope the awards will encourage the public to value and protect the trees in the area.

"Our city would not be the beautiful place that it is if it were not for the extensive canopy of green that trees provide," Read says. "The Tree Committee is pleased to have the opportunity to recognize those individuals, businesses and organizations among us who value and protect the trees of Charleston."

Nominations for next year's awards will be accepted through April 22, which is Earth Day. For an application form or details, contact the Charleston Horticultural Society at 579-9922.