Legacy Tree Dedication Ceremony

A private property tree nominated by its owner has been selected as the City of Urbana’s first living Legacy Tree as part of a new city program. The bur oak at 301 Griggs St., estimated to be about 150 years old, will be recognized with the special designation in a public ceremony at noon Thursday, Oct. 9, at the tree site. The oak is a remnant of the original Big Grove, documented by the Federal Land Survey between 1804 and 1891.

Event parking is available on Griggs St. or in City of Urbana lot 25 with access from Central Ave. Rain date for the dedication ceremony is noon Friday, Oct. 10, at the tree site.

The Legacy Tree Program was created by the Urbana City Council in April 2013. It is administered by the Arbor Division in collaboration with the Urbana Tree Commission to celebrate, recognize and protect Urbana’s most significant trees and its designation as one of only 13 charter Tree City USA communities in the United States.

Any Urbana resident can nominate a tree or a group of trees for consideration for Legacy status by the Urbana Tree Commission if it/they meet(s) specific standards in one of eight categories: size, rarity, historic or notable event, age, special ecological value, location, aesthetics or inclusion in the Illinois or National Register of Big Trees.

Earlier in 2014, the city’s Arbor Division selected a Sim Hackberry that stood at 312 S. Coler Ave., as the first honoree in the Legacy Tree Program. Though the tree’s deteriorating condition necessitated its removal in 2013, the tree is being honored posthumously.