Beloved Lovelace Oak is gone, but not forgotten, in Ocean Springs

The Lovelace Oak is no more.

The historic tree in downtown Ocean Springs was cut down Monday, due to its deteriorating condition.

The decision to cut down the tree was a divisive among members of the Ocean Springs community. The Board of Aldermen, though, voted 6-1 for its removal after finding the tree was “completely rotten inside,” according to Alderman Steve Tillis. The rot inside the tree made it a safety concern for surrounding properties and pedestrians, as it was located on an intersection with heavy traffic and several businesses. “Removal was unfortunately the only responsible option,” Tillis said.

The decision to remove the oak tree had been ongoing for nearly a decade, with the city initially considering taking the tree down in 2017. It was decided then to keep the tree up after a review found it had yet to be a safety hazard to the community.

Named after Lovelace Drugs, the Lovelace Oak was a core part of the identity of downtown Ocean Springs, providing natural shade as part of the oak canopy on Washington Avenue. It is believed to be one of the first oak trees planted on the street.

Now that the tree has been uprooted, construction is being scheduled to repair the sidewalk where the oak once stood. Once the sidewalk repairs have been made, the Board of Aldermen plans to plant a new oak tree to help restore the canopy on Washington Avenue.

Tillis addressed the Ocean Springs community in a Facebook post lamenting the felling of the oak tree. “I know many in our community will miss this beautiful old oak, and I share that sadness,” Tillis said. “While it is never easy to lose a piece of our town’s history, public safety must always come first.”