In late August, the City of Zachary faced a challenge while upgrading the main water line along Virginia Street. The planned process—digging a trench down the street—would have inevitably cut through the roots of several heritage oak trees, potentially threatening their survival. 

Deb Bellingham, owner of the historic McHugh House on Virginia Street, wasn’t about to let that happen. Concerned for the trees’ future, she reached out to Councilwoman Jennifer Boyd, who brought the issue to the attention of Mayor David McDavid. Together, they assembled a team that included city employees Wayne Day and Scott Masterson to find a solution that would protect the oaks. 

“We can do something different here,” Day proposed. After some brainstorming, the team devised an alternative plan: instead of digging near the tree trunks, they would drill deeper beneath the root balls. While the revised plan came with a higher cost, this method not only preserved the oak trees but also allowed for a single, solid piece of pipe to be laid—a more durable option that reduces the risk of future failure. “That’s the best thing you could do to save the trees,” confirmed the project’s arborist. 

Even though the digging area was a public right-of-way, the city chose to honor the wishes of the property owners and preserve a piece of the town’s historic landscape. Day, who has been with the City of Zachary for 30 years, explained his reasoning: “If it were mine, how would I do it? Just because we have the right doesn’t mean we have to do it.” 

More than just greenery, these Oak Trees are part of Zachary’s history. According to local lore, the trees in the downtown and 39th Street areas were planted in the 1930s as a fifth-grade class project. The late William Cobb, born in 1926 and a lifelong Zachary resident, once recounted to Masterson that his fifth-grade class planted the oaks in or around 1937 and watched them grow for decades. 

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of residents, city officials, and dedicated employees, Zachary’s heritage oak trees continue to stand tall, preserving a piece of the city’s past for future generations.

The McHugh House is a bed and breakfast and events venue in Zachary’s Historic District. For more information, please call 225-400-2044.

The McHugh House - 4524 Virginia Street, Zachary, LA

Historic 1903 boutique Victorian bed and breakfast in Zachary's downtown Historic District, across from Zachary Gazebo and live bands during City of Zachary events, and the Farmers Market... Read More »