Contributed photo / Adrienne Long hugs a tree at Heritage Park in East Brainerd. On Sept. 19, she plans to hug the same tree for at least 10 hours in an attempt to break the record for the world’s longest tree hug.Chattanooga resident Adrienne Long is attempting to break the world record for longest time to hug a tree, as both a fundraiser for the Chattanooga Audubon Society and a way to honor her mother’s strength, she said.
Supporters are encouraged to join her on her record-breaking journey at Heritage Park Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., when exercise and yoga classes are planned throughout the day near Long’s chosen tree.
Long said she was inspired to seek the tree-hugging record after the death of her mother, who became paraplegic following a spinal cord injury.
“I was just in my feelings about not doing enough to support her and honor her, so I wanted to do something just between her and I to resolve that,” Long said.
She said she wanted to undertake something that required both physical and mental stamina as a way to honor her mother’s strength in facing the challenges of her injury. Breaking the world tree-hugging record – which will require her to hug a tree for roughly nine hours, although she is aiming for 10 – offers that opportunity without requiring speed, athleticism or a large group of people, she explained.