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  • Sheriff Gary Stanley (left) stands next to the new addition to the Woodward County Sheriff's Office, a coconut tree, donated by Bill Harper (right) on Thursday. Photo by Jessica Bruha

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June 21, 2012

Unusual decoration added to sheriff's entrance area

Jessica Bruha Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — New decor can be spotted in the Woodward County Sheriff's office entrance that is over 10 feet tall and is not a common sight in Oklahoma.

A coconut tree was donated to Sheriff Gary Stanley by Bill and Nita Harper of Woodward on Thursday.

"He should be the only sheriff in Oklahoma that has a coconut tree," Bill Harper said.

The couple brought it back from Hawaii in August 2010 where Nita's mother, Glenda Haskins of Mooreland, raised it "from just a nutshell," Harper said.

However, the tree recently outgrew the greenhouse where Haskins was keeping it.  In deciding where might make a good new home for the trees, Harper said they chose the sheriff's office because he and his wife have been long time supporters of Stanley.

In addition, Harper said he believes the coconut tree has a good chance of surviving in the entrance area to the sheriff's office because of all the natural light that comes in.

Harper said the tree will grow to be about 30 feet tall and the base of the tree will be anywhere from 8 to 12 inches wide.  The tree will also grow coconuts, "just like in Hawaii", he said.

Stanley welcomed the unusual gift.

"I think it'll add a little decor here to the entrance and it's kind of a unique item," the sheriff said.

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