David Daniels, who manages forestland owned by his father Bud, reported damage to several White Oaks, which are among numerous trees – originally planted well off the state-owned right-of-way – near Alligator Loop Road in Stonewall. “I planted them when they were one-foot saplings about four years ago,” said Daniels, adding that he used PVC ‘tree tubes’ to ensure their survival. Daniels recently tracked down Greg Rayburn in the Department of Transportation at (252) 830-3146. “Thus far they seem to be very cooperative,” chuckled Daniels, “but I haven’t gotten anything in writing yet.”