Giving | endow an oak




"Where stately oaks and broad magnolias shade inspiring halls, There stands our dear Old Alma Mater who to us recalls. . ."
LSU Alma Mater


Louisiana State University has more than 1,200 live oak trees which grace the campus. Without a doubt, LSU has one of the most beautiful campuses in the world and at the heart of that beauty is our impressive oaks.

Through the wisdom and vision of campus leaders from years ago, such as Steele Burden, former landscaper for the LSU Campus, we sit in the shade of trees planted many, many years ago. These trees present a legacy that we must continue; that we must preserve. That is the heart of the Endow an Oak program.

By giving to the Endow an Oak program, we continue the care and protection of one of our most valuable campus assets. Gifts to the Endow an Oak program are split -- 50% goes into the Oak Endowment and 50% into an account that can be used immediately by the team that oversees our oaks. An endowment is a fund in which the principal is never spent; only the income earned is spent. Thus, as long as these majestic trees grace our campus, there will be a fund to help preserve them.

The University provides funding for the care and maintenance of the trees. But the need far exceeds university funding and as the oak trees mature and as more trees are planted, there is more of a burden to care for the trees. Private support from friends and LSU alumni provide the vitality the Endow an Oak program needs.

There are many of our majestic trees that are "at risk", showing signs of splitting or in decline. Gifts to the Endow an Oak program will funnel resources that can be used immediately to address pressing needs with the at risk trees.


Here are trees currently available to endow:

Quad Oaks $50,000 each ($25,000 to the endowment, $25,000 to the operation account. There are five oaks available in the quad.
Parade Ground Oaks $10,000 each ($5,000 to the endowment, $5,000 to the operation account.) If you are interested in a parade oak please contact Darlene Hale (225) 578-5386.
Campus Oaks $4,000 each ($2,000 to the endowment, $2,000 to the operation account.) Trees are available all over campus.

An endowment includes a customized, permanent bronze plaque installed near the base of the selected tree. An endowment is a unique gift for a family member, friend, or organization. It can be made in memory or in honor of someone, or it can be named for the donor.

Checks should be made payable to the LSU Foundation, and designated to the Oak Endowment. For more information on how to Endow an Oak, contact Darlene Hale at dhale@lsufoundation.org (225) 578-5386.

To make a gift on-line and endow an oak with your credit card, click this link. For the "Donation for " field choose "LSU Foundation " as the first option and then choose "Oak Program" as the second option.