This tree is an ancient Bur Oak, one of the truly spectacular trees in the City of Elgin and possibly in the county. If one were to describe the characteristic growth habit of a Bur Oak in a savanna setting this tree would be its model. The branches emanate from the trunk, arching horizontally and almost touching the ground, 100 feet from tip to tip. The girth of the trunk is four feet wide and the older branches are themselves as thick as trunks of nearby trees. It was present, but much smaller, when settlers first arrived in the area. It is the last sentinel of a grove of its kind on the bluff in this area. Grove Street’s name was probably derived from a natural grouping of oaks on this site and this is the last surviving member. Once such trees spread out over a vast savanna intermixed with the expanse of the great prairie. These were the gentle giants of a vast ecosystem of which less than one-hundredth of a percent is left scattered in tiny remnants over the State of Illinois.

The fact that this tree has come down to us, in its entire splendor, is a reflection on Elginites that preceded us. It has been respected and loved, its low swooping branches not harmed by human tools. It is part of Elgin’s history and contemporary identity as any other worthy landmark. By keeping it alive in excellent condition we show that life matters to us, that heritage is not confined to man-made wonders but includes those gifted to us by nature and a creator. We should feel honored and blessed to have received such a gift from our ancestors and should show them respect by passing it on to our sons and daughters. Such a marvel has taken almost two centuries to evolve and provide us with its majestic beauty and environmental benefits. There will probably be no other tree of its kind in this area to reach this form and grace on the Elgin streetscape. Our polluted air, salted roads and chemically maintained landscapes will not permit the trees we plant today to reach this age. Until we change our ways trees such as this are rare life forms not to be squandered.

As a landscape architect working with developers in housing projects I know that hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on landscape components to make the sites aesthetically pleasing, livable and healthy. A price of a tree with an eight-inch trunk (the largest size for practical planting) is in the thousands of dollars. From a market perspective the Grove Street Oak is a priceless masterpiece. Any good developer knows that and knows the marketability of such a setting. A good developer will also respect the heritage of the community he/she is working in and will enhance the setting not deplete it. Removing this tree from Elgin would be like taking out an essential organ from the body. The tree is in remarkably good health, due in part to the distance from the road, relatively clear ground around it and access to the sunlight. If it is to survive these conditions must be respected and the hydrology unaltered.

This may seem a challenge to the developer, but it is in effect an opportunity to create a wonderful project. Oaks are known to survive several hundred years, so any money invested in saving the specimen, if done properly, will not go unrewarded. Imagine a wonderful green entry garden to the residences with this spectacular oak as its centerpiece. No other feature could compare. Marketability? You bet!