Echoes From The Attic and Poems, OAK TREE, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson, Feb. 2001
Typed by Belford Carver
Written by by Edna F. Campbell
Copyrighted by Edna F. Campbell
With special thanks to her family for permission to use her works.

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BENEATH THE SPREADING OAK TREE

Many chapters of history have been recorded during the life of a magnificent oak 
tree; the "Sentinel," spreading its wide swinging, moss-draped branches across the 
front lawn of the Henry Roussell home on East Hickory street in Ponchatoula.

Another historic page was written with the stately tree was registered in 
impressive ceremonies in the Live Oak Society, by the State Chairman of the Live 
Oak Society, Mrs. Harry W. Brown of Mandeville.  Assisting were Mrs. H. J. Leonard, 
president of the sponsoring garden club, the Gardenettes of Ponchatoula and Mrs. A. 
L. Ladner, chairman of the tree project for her club.

The "Sentinel" has stood its ground in the span of 168 years of continued progress 
in the town, and when a sapling, Indians no doubt camped near by.  It has grown 
tall and unhindered and has reached a height of approximately 65 feet with a limb 
spread of 129 feet; it is 14 feet and 7 inches in circumference and measures three 
feet from the ground.

The tree flanks the original family home which was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. John 
E. Hudson in 1893.  Mr. Hudson started to build the house but died before its 
completion.  Mrs. Hudson then had the house finished, rented it awhile, and then 
sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Pusey around 1899.  The property had previously
been possessed by the John Foses, and the Bradleys and it is believed to date back 
to Spanish ownership.  The Roussells bought the home in 1957.

(From ECHOES FROM THE ATTIC, VI, 1971, by Edna Campbell)

(Pic of the ceremony)