Georgia Ports Authority Commits to Protect Historic Oaks

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) celebrated Arbor Day, April 26, by announcing it would put dozens of historic trees on its property under protective governance, now and into the future.

"These massive oaks located on GPA property are awe-inspiring and have been here long before we were,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. "Today, on National Arbor Day, the Georgia Ports Authority is making an official commitment to protect and preserve these natural and historic assets.”

About a dozen trees more than 200 years old are located at GPA’s Garden City Terminal, including two estimated to be more than 360 years old - one 92 inches in diameter and estimated to have taken root in 1645, and the other 91 inches in diameter and estimated to have taken root in 1649.
 

Four trees, one more than 250 years old, located at the new Container Operations Building, were preserved during the building process. The building was even re-positioned to provide optimal growing conditions for the trees. GPA maintains the trees with regular pruning and has had lightning protection installed on the oldest trees.
 

"Our mission is to grow our business in environmentally responsible ways,” said Mr. Foltz. "Protecting the tree canopy around the fourth busiest container port in the nation is just one project we’ve undertaken as part of our sustainability initiative.” 

Learn more about GPA’s sustainability effort at www.GeorgiaPortsSustainability.com.

American Association of Port Authorities
Asociación Americana de Autoridades Portuarias
1201 Maryland Ave SW, Suite 860, Washington, D.C. 20024
E: info@aapa-ports.org
W: www.aapa-ports.org