VSU Begins Restoration of Camellia Trail Following Hurricane Damage
Monday, April 27th, 2026
Valdosta State University has announced a major restoration effort to replant camellias along Main Campus’s historic Whitehead Camellia Trail after hundreds of mature plants were damaged or lost during Hurricane Helene in 2024.
“Restoring the Whitehead Camellia Trail is more than a recovery effort,” said Monica Haynes, VSU Landscape and Grounds superintendent. “It’s a commitment to preserving a living piece of VSU’s heritage. After the hurricane’s impact, we recognized how deeply this space is woven into the life of our campus and community. Its renewal will not only revive the beauty of the trail but also restore a place of reflection and connection for generations to come.”
The Whitehead Camellia Trail, a cherished feature of VSU’s campus and a point of pride for the Valdosta-Lowndes County community, has long showcased a diverse collection of camellia varieties. Known for its seasonal blooms and tranquil walking path, the trail attracts students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors year-round. It is one of three local gardens highlighted on the Georgia Camellia Trail.
A team of horticulture enthusiasts — VSU Landscape and Grounds crew members, VSU Garden Guild students, Mark Crawford with Loch Laurel Nursery, Dr. Emily Cantonwine with VSU’s Department of Biology, and J.D. Thomerson, a VSU retiree — recently partnered with a local contracting crew to plant 100 new camellia plants along the trail. Their efforts also included soil rehabilitation and irrigation work.
“At the advice of local camellia experts Mark Crawford and J.D. Thomerson, we added cotton seed meal to the planting holes, planted them higher in the ground, and had contractors install special drip irrigation,” Haynes said. “There are some varieties that do not tolerate sun well, and those have been draped with Tree Defender netting to help give them some shade while they become established.”
The restoration project aims not only to replace damaged plants but also to ensure the long-term sustainability and beauty of the trail.
“Our hope is to continue to plant and develop the Whitehead Camellia Trail for years to come,” Haynes added.
The Whitehead Camellia Trail originated during Christmas 1944 when Jewel Whitehead gifted 150 camellia plants to Georgia State Womans College, as Valdosta State was known from 1922 to 1950. She planted each one among the pine trees along the Georgia Avenue side of campus, creating a place of quiet beauty for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors to enjoy. She continued to care for the camellias and plant new ones throughout her lifetime.
At its prime, the Whitehead Camellia Trail had more than 400 camellias
VSU Foundation Inc. has kicked off a campaign to help bring the Whitehead Camellia Trail back to life. Donations may be made by calling Savannah Sanders, University Advancement development officer, at (229) 245-2456 or by visiting https://www.givecampus.com/schools/ValdostaStateUniversity/whitehead-camellia-trail-restoration . Funds will be used to restore damaged sections of the trail, preserve the historic integrity and natural beauty of the space, and ensure future generations can experience this peaceful campus and community landmark.
Visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/valdostastate/albums/72177720332875978/ to view photos of Whitehead Camellia Trail restoration efforts.
