By Milledge Austin, Augusta University
The entrance to Augusta University’s historic Summerville Campus has long been marked by a few defining features: the brick archway framing the Russell A. Blanchard Fountain, the black wrought-iron fence along Walton Way and, for decades, a pair of towering deodar cedars on either side of the drive welcoming visitors.
That changed on the morning of Sept. 27, 2024, when Hurricane Helene tore through the CSRA and up into Western North Carolina, leaving in its wake a swath of destruction that will likely be visible for years to come.
With sustained winds of at least 80 mph – and gusts reaching 100 mph in some areas – along with significant rain fall of around 12 inches making the ground over saturated, approximately 75% of the tree canopy in the CSRA was lost. That included a large number of trees across Augusta University’s campuses.
In the wake of the storm, the cedar on the west side of the entrance, which was known as the Champion Deodar Cedar for being approximately 250 years old and the largest in the state, fell and had to be fully removed, leaving a large hole in the landscaping, in the wrought-iron fence and in the spirit of the campus.
That space has finally been restored.
On Feb. 10, two mature deodar cedars were planted, completing a project that required months of planning, coordination and care. A dedication ceremony celebrating the successful planting of the trees and those who made it all possible will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, next to the signature cedar just inside the main entrance to the Summerville Campus, beside the History Walk.
“Helene tested our campus and our community in ways we could never have imagined,” said AU President Russell T. Keen. “Restoring these signature cedars on our Summerville Campus is more than a landscaping milestone. It is a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength and spirit that define Augusta University and those we serve, and the power of community. We are deeply grateful to the Sand Hills Garden Club and the Community Foundation for the CSRA for their generous support and partnership.”
Trees have long been central to the Summerville identity, from the historic Arsenal Oak – featured on the university seal – to the stately canopy found in the grove that gives the campus its distinctive feel.
The effort to replace the signature cedar, as well as a pecan tree that was located in front of the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre that also fell during the storm, was driven by campus leaders with support from local groups, including the Sand Hills Garden Club and the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund at the Community Foundation for the CSRA, said Anna Lacey, Augusta University’s director of Landscaping and Grounds. Lacey joined AU in the spring of 2025 and restoring the campus landscape was a top priority.
“When I arrived, replacing as many trees as possible was near the top of my list,” she said. “Partnerships with the Sand Hills Garden Club and the Community Foundation for the CSRA helped ensure these signature cedars were at the very top.”
“Upon learning that the Augusta University campus lost so many trees, the Sand Hills Garden Club was inspired by the University’s comprehensive Tree-Care Plan and its long-term commitment to preserving and enhancing the campus landscape,” said Cathy Dolan, president of the Sand Hills Garden Club. “This initiative reflects the Sand Hills Garden Club’s enduring commitment to stewardship, sustainability and the preservation of the natural beauty that enriches our community.”
Lacey knew the replacements needed to match both the scale and presence of the originals. She knew just who to reach out to: Jeff Covell, owner of More Than Trees, whom she had worked with on previous projects.
Selecting the right trees meant searching beyond Georgia. Covell maintains a nationwide network of contacts and locations, often identifying potential trees years before they are needed.
“We travel all over the country,” Covell said. “We’re always looking at trees that are getting on the larger side. That’s what we specialize in.”
The search led to a grove in North Carolina. After a site visit, Lacey selected two trees about 26 years old and standing approximately 40 feet tall.
“We wanted to make sure we had a central leader tree, full to the base and even all the way around,” she said. “Once I saw them in person, I knew they were the right trees.”
The trees were replanted at Augusta University on Feb. 10.
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