A celebration in honor of a centuries-old bur oak tree that has died will take place Sunday in Northbrook.
According to a news release, the goodbye event will feature crafts and activities, along with a chance to learn about the tree’s history, from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Village Green Park, at Shermer and Meadow roads in downtown Northbrook.
The bur oak is likely about 250 years old and had been showing signs of decline — such as early dropping of leaves and thinning of the canopy — for the past two to three years, Chris Ryerson, Northbrook Park District Grounds Supervisor, said in the release. As part of its plant health care program, the park district contracts a tree care company to assess the condition of trees. The certified arborist determined that the bur oak had reached the end of its life and needed to be removed for safety purposes.
The tree is located west of the park’s baseball/softball diamond, near the restrooms, the release said. It was scheduled for removal Oct. 9, but the stump and the main section of the truck will remain on-site. People will be able to count the tree’s rings to determine its exact age.
The tree’s life will be highlighted with a timeline of local historical events during its life span, according to the release.
There will be oak-related crafts and activities that will include acorns collected from the park. Oak trees don’t start producing acorns — which are fruits, not seeds — until they are about 20 years old, Ryerson said.
“One tree can make 2,000 acorns every year, but only about 1 in 10,000 will become a new tree. Long odds!” he said.
Participants will be able to take home a bur oak sapling, while supplies last, the release saod. The saplings will be coming “bare root,” meaning without soil, so its roots will need to be placed in water for three to six hours before being planted and watered frequently, Ryerson said.
For more information, visit nbparks.org/events/farewellmightyoak.