I got word that the "Presidential Oak," a burr oak tree of some size and history, was taken down recently because it was hollow and likely to fall on passersby. The tree, estimated at over 300 years old, stood on Bascom Hill near the School for Public Affairs building, which was once home to several UW presidents. Even the two feet of stump remaining is amazing to see. Rumor has it a preschool class sang the tune "Let it Go" to the tree to say goodbye. What if 300 years ago, this was the average size for oaks, white pines, hemlocks, and maples across the state. Would we cut them all down? Will any trees celebrating their first birthday this year make it to 300? Would this tree have lived this long had it started growing in the year 1400?
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