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Residents ask Jackson council to save historic fir tree and surveying marker in Blackman Park
Summary
Members of First Congregational Church presented a petition with 99 signatures urging the city to preserve a 40–45-foot fir tree in Blackman Park and the historic surveying stone beneath it, proposing trimming or signage instead of removal.
Several residents and church representatives urged the Jackson City Council on Nov. 26 to preserve a longstanding white fir in Blackman Park rather than remove it to access an 1875 surveying stone beneath the roots.
Pam Henry, representing First Congregational Church, said the fir is a living monument that has been decorated and photographed by generations and presented a petition with 99 signatures asking the city to find alternatives to tree removal. “We believe this is unnecessary and that both monuments can be saved and admired,” Henry said, asking council to keep the tree and the marker.
Janet Marine, another member of the church, suggested consulting experts and lightly pruning branches so the marker remains readable while preserving the tree. Pastor Terry Taylor Snyder said the tree could be trimmed and benches added beneath it and recommended using funds to open damaged downtown restrooms instead of removing the tree.
Speakers asked staff to consider less-destructive options and to keep the public informed of decisions. Council accepted the petition for consideration; the transcript records the citizen appeals and the petition submission but does not record a staff decision at the meeting.
