Description
A Tree that Stands for Love, Endurance and Strength
The Century Tree is famous among Texas A&M students as the place to take your girlfriend in order to capture the good luck the tree represents, ensuring an enduring relationship.
Through the years, countless first kisses, engagements and wedding ceremonies have taken place under the boughs of this sprawling live oak tree. This tradition still continues today, with hundreds of wedding proposals occurring each year. If you get a chance to visit the tree, chances are good that you will see rose petals on the ground under its limbs – remnants from another bond forged and celebrated under its magnificent branches.
In addition to being a tree for sweethearts, it is also considered a symbol of strength, foundation and trust – all core components of the value system at Texas A & M University. The Century Tree is believed to have been planted at the turn of the 20th century, hence the origin of the name.
An Icon of Texas History
The tree’s growth in size and stature has paralleled the same growth of the University. The State’s first public college of higher education now has over 50,000 students with a campus encompassing over 5,000 acres. Revered by students, faculty and the local community, the Century Tree could very well be the most famous tree in Texas. It can be found between Bolton Hall and the Academic Building on the campus of Texas A&M University.
“According to an old Aggie legend, if two lovers pass beneath the tree’s large, vine-like branches, they are destined to be wed. Similarly, if a couple becomes engaged under the Century’s picturesque leaves, the marriage will last forever.”
— The Battalion, April 29, 2008
In recent years, the Century Tree has become known as a “sweetheart tree”, with hundreds of Aggie marriage proposals taking place there every year. Tradition states that couples who walk beneath its draping branches will remain together forever.
The Century Tree was named an official Famous Tree of Texas by the Texas Forest Service in 2011, an honor given to an elite group of trees “that have witnessed exciting times in Texas frontier history.” The Century Tree is one of only three trees added to the registry over the past 40 years.
Planting and caring for your Legendary Tree is easy — see the Tree Care page for more information. The saplings we sell are just over a year old, approaching 3 feet tall, and in 1 gallon containers. They are shipped in a well-designed, eco-friendly recycled paper box. We use FedEx ground and guarantee arrival within 5 business days of your order.
