Spotlight on Nassau Gardens

Bill Decker

UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension Service
By Libby Wilkes
Master Gardener
Nassau County Extension
Contact [email protected]
January 12, 2018 12:00 p.m.

Bill and Amy Decker have lived here on the salt water marsh, as it enters the coastal waterway in Yulee, for about 9 months and really love it here. What a beautiful view they have from their home on the marsh. They call it their Magnolia Retreat House and enjoy inviting friends and family to visit.

There is an enormous Live Oak growing out over the water. Back in the days of wooden ships the hulls of the ships were usually made with this very hard wood from the Live Oak trees.

Photos by Libby Wilkes

The Walnut tree is quite interesting and it is unusual for a Walnut tree to grow in this county. There is also a lovely Hickory Tree that is great for the squirrels who love the nuts.

The enormous Magnolia Tree was called the Mam Mam Tree by the former owners and is about 500 years old. The trunk was cut by lightening many years ago and during our hurricane Irma there was a loss of many branches including several very large ones. On the trunk there is a hole called an ear, that is the home of raccoons. There are many seed pods surrounding the Hickory Tree. Later they produce red seeds that are all over the yard. In the photo of Bill, in front of Mam Mam, there is a Magnolia seed pod in his hand.

The beautiful area filled with interesting trees also attract many birds including Bald Eagles, Egrets, Cranes, Eagles, Osprey Rosetta Spoonbills and many more. Dolphin are often visiting in the water.

What a lovely area with beautiful scenery, interesting wildlife and beautiful trees and plants. They will probably live there and enjoy it a long time.

 

“Spotlight on Nassau Gardens,” is a monthly recognition program of the UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension Service, featuring the beautiful gardens and plants grown by Nassau County residents. To be considered, send a digital photo with a description of your “Spotlight,” along with your name, address, and phone number to [email protected]. For more information, call the Extension office at 904-530-6353.