Symbol | Official Item

Georgia designated live oak (Quercus virginiana) as the official state tree in 1937. All State Trees

Coastal towns and cities in the south often have hurricane-resistant live oaks arching over the streets in historic neighborhoods. Live oaks are the iconic southern tree seen on postcards draped in Spanish moss.

Georgia Resolution

Whereas in many of the States of the Union some tree indigenous to the soil of the State has been chosen as an emblem of its sovereignty; and

"Georgia On My Mind" by Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael was adopted as the official state song of Georgia in 1979 (replacing "Georgia" by Robert Loveman and Mrs. Lollie Belle Wylie). Georgia also adopted a state waltz.  All State Songs

Georgia designated the beautiful knobbed whelk as the official state seashell in 1987 (also a state symbol of New Jersey). The knobbed whelk is a marine snail shell found on Georgia's shoreline. All State Shells & Aquatic Life

Georgia General Assembly Legislation

WHEREAS, the state has many official symbols but does not yet have a state seashell; and

"The Georgian's Creed," composed by Mrs. A.H. (Sexta Eavenson) Strickland, was officially adopted by Georgia legislature in 1939:

Georgia is best known as 'The Peach State." Georgia-grown peaches are recognized for their superior flavor, texture, appearance and nutritious qualities (Georgia also designated the peach as the official state fruit in 1995, and the peach is featured on the Georgia quarter). All State Nicknames

Georgia designated the peach as the official state fruit in 1995 (Georgia also recognizes a state vegetable, a state crop, and an official prepared food).

Georgia designated the shark tooth as the official state fossil in 1976. All State Fossils

A fairly common fossil on the Georgia coastal plain, fossilized shark teeth are prized by collectors. These prehistoric shark teeth are found in a range of colors - most common are black or gray, less common are the white, brown, blue, and reddish-brown teeth.

The green tree frog (hyla cinerea) was designated the official state amphibian of Georgia in 2005 (the green tree frog is found throughout most of the state). Eighty-five species of amphibians live in Georgia - the only state with a greater diversity of amphibians is North Carolina. All State Amphibians

Grits were designated the official prepared food of Georgia in 2002. Georgia also recognizes a state fruit, a state vegetable, and a state crop).

Georgia designated the endangered gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) as the official state reptile in 1989. All State Reptiles

Native to Georgia, the gopher tortoise population is declining and studies indicate that it may not even exist outside of protected areas. Help preserve this unique, ancient creature - if you find a tortoise on the road, stop your vehicle and gently place it off the road in the direction it is traveling (otherwise do not disturb it).