Mammoth Move: James Agee Park will roll out welcome mat for 2 large magnolias
After two weeks of preparation, Victor and Bill are set to move.
No, they're not the past and current mayors of Knoxville; they're a pair of 65-year-old magnolia trees being prepared to travel a short distance down Laurel Avenue to James Agee Park in Fort Sanders.
Despite the efforts of more than eight organizations and dozens of people, the two 80-ton trees wouldn't budge on Friday after six hours of work in spitting snow and frigid winds.
Powell Construction Co. has arranged for a larger crane to arrive today for another attempt.
The tree transplantation is part of a two-fold project - saving two trees and beautifying the park named after Knoxville's most famous literary son.
R.B. Morris - singer, songwriter, poet and Agee aficionado - passed the trees often on walks through the neighborhood, so when construction began on the lot where the trees were rooted, he wondered if it would be possible to move mature magnolias. After all, he said, James Agee Park was just a couple hundred yards away and needed some foliage.
Morris is on the advisory board that is overseeing the park's transformation from a parking lot to a landscaped memorial to Agee.
"It's unbelievable how it came together," Morris said. "Everyone has been very supportive. And I hope it sets a good precedent for moving mature trees. Once people know it can be done, then it should be done more often."
After Morris proposed the idea, a host of organizations came together to make it possible. Denark Inc., which is developing Laurel Station condominiums, donated the trees and set back deadlines to make the move possible.
Blaine Construction offered workers and equipment, Powell Construction brought in two cranes and Jim Cortese of Cortese Tree Specialists offered his expertise and the services of several employees. The Knoxville Utilities Board and Comcast Cable moved lines for free. Jeff Covel, president of More Than Trees, coordinated much of the effort.
"I love the challenge," said Covel, whose credits include moving trees for Ralph Lauren and Whitney Houston. "My philosophy is if you never go, you never know."
Covel and his crew have spent the past two weeks preparing the trees for the move. Workers removed soil from around the trees, and then wrapped the roots in blue tarps.
The crane will have to lift the trees, ripping the remaining roots from the ground. Once the magnolias make it to the park, Cortese will take over their care.
Cortese said the trees probably are the largest to be moved in Knoxville, and was very impressed with all the volunteers.
"I feel confident these trees will survive," Cortese said. "And my long term hope is that this won't be the last really big trees to be moved in this city."
Rachel Kovac may be reached at 865-342-6271.
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