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ATHENS - It is a story that has been passed from generation to generation. A legend of a tree that owns more than any other tree in history. And in this week's Georgia Journey, WNEG's Amelia Hines tells us about this tree and why it's so important to the Athens community.

This tree stands alone. It is different from most trees, not because it's massive or because it sits in the middle of a street. It's special because there's a legend behind it that claims that this tree has rights. It cannot be moved. It owns itself.

"Mr. William H. Jackson had so admired this tree that he owned that he deeded the tree the property to the tree," John Waters a University of Georgia researcher tells WNEG News.

It was more than 170 years ago when Jackson supposedly deeded the tree's father to itself and the eight feet surrounding it. That's how the oak tree became known as "The tree that owns itself". The one that occupies the space today is actually the 'son' of the tree that owns itself. But we'll explain that a little later.

As far as deeds go, this slab of stone is pretty much it. It documents William H. Jackson's wishes, way back in 1832, that the tree would own itself forever. "People made a concerted effort to find that documentation but it can't be found anywhere," Waters explains. "So, technically the tree that owns itself can't own itself."

Mary Ann Hodgson says despite that little fact, people in Athens have always respected the history and story behind the tree and have worked hard to keep the landmark in place. Hodgson is part of the Junior Ladies Garden Club in Athens and they have been very instrumental in the upkeep of the tree since 1942. "We check on it quite frequently."

The first tree that owns itself was struck by lightening a little more than 100 years after it became famous and that was just a few years before the Junior Ladies became a club. "The Junior Ladies Garden Club wanted to choose a project as their first one and they chose to take on replanting the tere that owns itself. So that was our very first project," Hodgson says.

"It's just wonderful to have it as a legend. It doesn't matter whether or not we can trace the accuracy...but the idea is strong one," says Mary Anne Hodgson.

In case you'd like to visit the tree, it is located at the intersection of Dearing and Finley streets in downtown Athens.