There is a tree in Athens, GA that owns itself. And all the land within 8 feet of it’s base. The article is rather interesting just for the oddness of it all. Especially in light of the general strictness of most property laws and claims. One of my favorite pieces of interplay between official law and law as people actually deal with it:
Athens-Clarke County confirms that the tree is in the right-of-way and is thus “accepted for care” by municipal authorities; according to city-county officials, local government and the owners of the adjacent property jointly serve as “stewards” for the care of the tree, while Athens’ Junior Ladies’ Garden Club serves as its “primary advocate.” Regarding Jackson’s deed, one writer noted at the turn of the last century, “However defective this title may be in law, the public recognized it.” In that spirit, it is the stated position of the Athens-Clarke County unified government that the tree, in spite of the law, does indeed own itself.
My question then, is what the tree does for a living to pay the property taxes on itself?