09/27/2025
A year ago, on September 27, Hurricane Helene dealt us a particularly painful blow. The two 85 ft. tall pecan trees that had stood proud for more than a century as the centerpiece of our safari park were toppled by the storm, their limbs crushed, cracked, and splintered by the fall, their roots severed and cruelly pulled out of the wet ground. They laid wounded on the rich red soil while we cried by their side in total disbelief.
Many voices suggested they could only be salvaged as wood. What they did not understand was the depth of love we’ve always held for these noble giants. To us they were far more than timber; they were history, legacy, and part of the spirit of this place. And so, with stubborn hearts and weary hands, our crew began what seemed an impossible task: to give the pecans another chance at life.
For ten days the crew struggled alongside them day and night. We used every piece of equipment we owned—tractors, saws, straps, chains, courage, and ingenuity. We sweated, strategized, and sometimes doubted. But at every setback, someone would place a hand against their scarred bark and whisper encouragement, as if the trees could sense our resolve. Somehow the guys managed to get them back upright, firmed the soil around their roots, and prayed the winter would be kind.
The months that followed were long and uncertain. Through the cold winds and long nights we tended to them, visiting, watching, and waiting. Their silence was heavy, but our optimism never wavered.
At last, in the the spring they revealed fresh, tender, green leaves. We were overjoyed!
We know it will take time for them to return to their full glory, but we will remain devoted to caring for them and loving them back to full strength.
They will forever live as symbols of resilience, of faith, and of the unbreakable bond between people, land, and the living things we choose not to give up on. Next time you see them stop for a minute and marvel at their inner beauty, still gracing our lives upon their hill.