“But,” he added, “no church to my knowledge has made the kind of strong statement that the Church of Scientology has made in the town of Clearwater.”

The transplanting of Sam is now successful history. The tree’s roots are thriving, according to arborist Westenberger.

“Of all the live oaks on the property where Sam resides, Sam is the only one that bore acorns this year,” he said. “That’s a sure sign of health.” Westenberger has given out hundreds of Sam’s acorns to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other young people and adults, asking them to set an example and plant their own live oak tree somewhere in Clearwater. “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago and the next best time is now,” he quipped.