Right before the Georgia/South Carolina line on I-85 North, mile marker 177, there is a stately tree in the median (Google Maps). It is different than the others. It is older, larger, and set apart.
When I was little, we would always pull over to the right side of the interstate, run across, and place a ribbon around the huge trunk of this tree. Usually it was purple, but sometimes it was gold. If there was already a ribbon around the trunk, placed by someone else, we would often tie another. I knew what this ritual signaled. We were getting close to Furman. These trips often occurred in the fall as I attended homecoming with my Mom, Nana, Papa, Aunt, and Uncle. On campus each year, I remember playing in the bright leaves and climbing up the spiral staircase in the belltower until the gate near the top stopped me.
Years later, I had to choose where to attend college. I did overnight visits, tours, and mulled over the advantages of each school I was considering. A few days before the May 1 deadline I decided on Furman. I didn’t go there because I was a legacy (although I love tradition) and I hadn’t fallen in love with the school on my campus tour like many of my friends. A combination of factors led me there, and the thought of attending another school never crossed my mind throughout my four years.
As I drove home southbound after graduation I saw the stately tree in my mirror. I later asked my Nana how the ribbon tradition began, and she told me that they first tied ribbons around the tree during the 1970s as they took my mother to school. For her, the tree always stood as a reminder that they were getting close to Furman. After asking around at school, no one seemed to know about the tree. Perhaps after reading this others will join the tradition. Regardless, as I grow older and make the journey back to campus from a new home I will tie a ribbon around the tree with my family, point it out to others, and be reminded of the experiences and relationships that I had at Furman.
Great post! I drove back to Greenville via 85 yesterday and wish I had know to look out for the Furman tree. What a special family tradition. I hope we get to see you before we leave!
i've seen that gorgeous old tree– never knew it was yours :)!! this was an awesome post!
I have admired that tree for years! While driving Rachel to Camp Greystone each summer, I would look for it. I knew we were almost to the Carolinas when I saw it sitting on the hill there in the middle of the interstate. Of course, all through her Furman years, I looked for it as well. You are right – it is different than the others – seems to have a personality. As for the ribbons, I assumed someone had tied them for a soldier who was overseas – now I know! From this point on, I will think of it as "The Furman Tree."
Jonathan:
Saw your blog in Furman mag today.
Me, FU ’75
I grew up in Gaffney, SC and my grandparents lived in Rome, Ga so the “Furman tree” has been part of my spiritual geography even before Furman.
(you ought to take a detour over to Winder sometime, chocked full of History).
More later.
Tell Curtis Freeman and Tim Tyson at Duke I said Hello.
And, oh, with your fondness for the great scenery of NC Appalachians; my friend Ron Rash’s Serena is a must read for you over the Holidays.
You’ll like his two preachers, though they aren’t the main characters. Got some Rash stuff at my blog you may like.
I’m an ’85 graduate of Furman, and lived in Atlanta for a while after grauation before moving back to my hometown of Charlotte. I don’t know how many times I’ve driven past that tree, but it must be well into the hundreds. Most of the time, during the 80’s, there was a yellow ribbon tied around the tree. I think we should ask the biology department to send someone down to study and estimate the age of the tree.
’82 alum. l also found this blog from Furman magazine. We always called the old oak the “lonely tree” because for years it stood alone in the median. Over the years a number of other trees have sprung up so its not so lonely anymore.
I had a friend who transferred out of FU and his parting words to me were, “Say hello to the lonely tree every time you go by.” To this day, whenever I trek up I-85, I roll down my window and say “hello.” It drives my wife nuts.
’80 alum, I have a brother that graduated in ’89. On all our trips to FU my family called it “the perfect tree”, I like the Furman Tree more. Our tradition is that you must honk the horn to say “hi” to the tree. My dad started this and we still honk each time. Dad passed away 7 years ago and the tree brings back great memories of him driving me to Furman.
I have a daughter that is a senior in high school, we took her to visit the campus last month and of course she loved it and wants to go there. Hopefully there are 4 more years of saying “hi” to the Furman tree!
I transplanted from the west coast to Atlanta over 30 years ago…and have always looked for this beautiful tree on my many, many drives to Shelby, NC. I always thought that it represented someone waiting for a loved one to return home for whatever reason…when I was a child my father always sang “Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the old Oak tree”, sung by Tony Orlando, I believe. I prefer to think of this tree having a more romantic side to it! ; – D
When I was a little boy in the mid 60’s veerytime we drove past the tree my mother would say “There’s my favorite tree. We only have a mile to SC!!! Sire enough it is exactly one mile to the state line. I have found so many other people that also know three because of the ribbons and one man told me his parents called it the Furman Tree because it is one more hour to Furman. Funny how a tree can stand iut to so many from the million that kine that interstate.
I was telling my wife about this tree that I have noticed the ribbons on over the last 26 years we have lived in Georgia. I am in sales and travel extensively in the Southeast. I drive up I 85 to the Carolinas every month. She said, “Google it.” and the only reference I found was to the Furman Tree. We lived in Easley, SC from 1981 to 1985 and I passed Furman often and ran in a 10K on campus once. It is a beautiful campus. It is good to know this story of a great family tradition. I actually evoked an emotional response in me. Keep it up.
My son Jimmy sent me your blog. It’s fascinating, but I must tell you that for a long time I referred to it as the “Jimmy tree”. We both looked forward to seeing it when we were travelling that road. It’s a special tree to gather so much attention and happy memories.
I have loved that tree since I made that drive from Atlanta to Duke, where I went to college. I started making that trip in 1988, and I just passed it again now, as a 54 year old man, earlier this summer in 2024. What a beautiful tree!