Group plants magnolia in memory of AU professor

Where a bigleaf magnolia stands today, there probably would have been concrete without the efforts of the late George Folkerts.

“If it wasn’t for George we would be standing on a bunch of concrete,” said Bob Mount of Auburn.

Mount was part of a group of about 100 people who gathered at the Donald E. Davis Arboretum Saturday morning to plant the bigleaf magnolia in memory of Folkerts, who was a professor of biological sciences at Auburn University.

A sign reading, “Save The Davis Arboretum and the new Art Museum,” stood next to where the tree was planted. The signs were part of Folkerts’ efforts years ago to keep the Arboretum from becoming the site for a new art museum, which is now the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art located on down South College Street.

As part of his efforts then, this reporter remembers Folkerts hosting early morning (6:30 a.m.) walks through the Arboretum so people could see and hear about why the area needed to remain as the
arboretum.

Also, next to the newly planted tree was a marker reading: “In honor of George W. Folkerts, 1938-2007, Teacher, naturalist and conservationist, George was a champion of this Arboretum and natural habitats everywhere. He inspired a joy and passion for nature in all who knew him. Nature spoke through him and touched the world.”

Several former students spoke about how their association with Folkerts changed the course of their lives, how no one ever considered him as old or aging, and how his passion for both nature and people was inspirational. Several said that this was the perfect spot and the perfect tree to remember the person they considered a friend.

One student said he still could not eat a salad without thinking about all the families of the plants in that salad, and every time he sat down at a meal with his professor, Folkerts would quiz him about what plants were there.

Folkerts’ wife, Debbie, who was joined by others to add the soil filling in around the tree, shared a picnic lunch there with friends after the ceremony.

“I’m glad everybody came,” she said. “I think this is exactly what George would have wanted - for us to be here and enjoy the Arboretum with a picnic.

“The tree is perfect. The spot is perfect,” Debbie said. “I want to thank everybody that had any part in this.”