THE
MAJESTIC
TREE
SPIRITS
On the hunt for
St. Simons Island’s seven
treasured carvings.
THE STORY OF CORA,
PROTECTOR OF THE LOGGERHEADS
L
egend holds that a spellbinding beauty named Cora has lived in
the depths of the Golden Isles for centuries. Part human, part fish,
mermaid Cora has rarely been sighted by islanders. But those who
have managed to catch a glimpse of her gliding through the currents never
forget her splendor and grace.
Her sun-kissed skin is golden brown, her green eyes sparkle like
emeralds, and her chocolate-hued hair falls in ribbons down to her waist.
But Cora’s true beauty shines from within: She is the gentle protector of
the islands’ loggerhead turtles. When a mother loggerhead lays her eggs
on the sand, she hums a sweet song only her babies can hear. When
the babies are ready to hatch, Cora waits at the shoreline. She
Pick up a map
hums their mother’s song, patiently guiding them to the water.
Golden Isles Welcome Center
of
the Tree Spirits
When the hatchlings reach her, Cora leads them out to sea
at the Welcome
to begin their new lives. Along the way, she guards them from
Center.
fishing nets, teaches them to become strong swimmers, and
On nights when the moon is full, you may see the reflection
shows them how to eat conchs and crabs. When they’ve become
of Cora’s tail in the water. And if you glance at the surf when the
independent enough to find their own ways, Cora leaves the turtles to
last baby loggerhead has journeyed down the beach, you’ll see a flash of
await the next newborns.
Cora’s tail as she dives back under the waves.
Carved Art
If you look closely at some of the majestic oak trees that cover St. Simons Island, it’s
possible to find one gazing back at you. Either peering out from the trunk or perhaps
from the stub of a long-vanished branch, the unmistakable image of a weathered
face would be one of the island’s 20 commissioned Tree Spirits. Using gouges and
a mallet, sculptor Keith Jennings began carving these beloved creatures in 1982.
While there are seven tree spirits in public areas, the most popular is the majestic
Mermaid Tree Spirit at the Golden Isles Welcome Center. Visit Cora and pick up a
map of the other Tree Spirit locations at one of our Welcome Centers.
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