In April 2017, the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board revealed the first phase of Notable Tree Tours on the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government website. The website houses the stories that represent the history of 30 notable trees selected by the Tree Board to represent each bayou and downtown, east and west Houma.

A brief video with photographs of the trees promotes the upcoming brochure and provides the user with a brief glimpse. Also, online Notable Tree Tours provide the public with access via smartphones, tablets or computers to the area’s most notable trees in appreciation of the beauty and historical significance.

A unique Notable Tree Tours brochure will physically guide the visitor in the comfort of his or her own vehicle through the scenic roadways and bayous of Terrebonne Parish. Taking advantage of new tech devices and apps, QR codes are used and will bring the user to each tree’s Google Maps location and a second code to the tree’s unique story. 

The Houma Area Convention & Visitors Bureau will display and house brochures to be distributed free to the public as well as several locations in the Government Tower and other parish locations. A copy of the brochure promotional video will also be donated to Houma Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for potential use to promote the brochure via kiosk. All trees are in the Google Maps system by name as well as by address.

Anyone at home can view the stories online along with pictures and links for family stories and genealogy info as well as other links to peak the curiosity of the reader and see the trees. We are urging residents to get the brochure and take the physical tour. These mini tours will provide you with a new appreciation for these trees you have been driving by each day. Most of these trees are located on private property and can be viewed by the road side from your vehicle with no problem.

Originally, the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board efforts began in 2009 to solicit nominations and submittals from local residents, who took the time to submit their trees to be included in a Notable Trees booklet created and headed by Teri Ferguson. In 2014, Publications Chair Trudy Hebert discussed the idea of a Tree Tour brochure with Chair Laura Browning and presented to Sharon Alford, of the Houma Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. An inventory began, and the scope increased in an effort to promote tourism as well as local awareness of the beauty and history of these trees.

The Terrebonne Parish Tree Board would like to thank all board members and those persons interviewed who provided these wonderful and interesting stories.

The Terrebonne Parish Tree Board would like to express appreciation to Parish President Gordon Dove and the Terrebonne Parish Council for seeing the value of this project.

One of the purposes of the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board is to bring awareness to the importance of trees not only for their beauty and history but also for their functions in our environment. To learn more about the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board visit the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board webpage. 

Additional Information

• Original Press Release