McHenry Conservancy looks to purchase property to save 300-year-old tree

By Adela Crandell Durkee For Chronicle Media
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County members include (from left) Lisa Harderlein, Melissa Grycan, David Ducci and Linda Burkart. (Photo provided by Lisa Harderlein)

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County members include (from left) Lisa Harderlein, Melissa Grycan, David Ducci and Linda Burkart. (Photo provided by Lisa Harderlein)

Early settlers called the old trees “wolf oaks” because they considered them worthless, like the wolves that inhabited the area.

The spreading branches took up a lot of space that could be used instead for grazing, or for farming. Even as timber, settlers found these ancient trees unsuitable.

Today, “wolf oak” takes on a more positive meaning. Like the wolf, according to Lisa Haderlein, executive director of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, ancient oaks provide a protective cloak of branches that shield the life within it. The eco-system is rich in insect, bird, and even mammal species.

“The wolf oak on the [Clark Farm] property is like a guardian of the property,” said Haderlein. “No tree lives forever, but this one could life another 50, or even 100 years.”

Today the wolf oak is estimated at between 300 and 350 years old. The age is based on Marlin Bowles’ statistical sampling of different sized oak trees. With a tree diameter of 58 inches, the tree on the Clark Farm is older than the nation it grows in.

 

Looking out through the branches toward Route 120. (Photo provided by Lisa Harderlein)

Looking out through the branches toward Route 120. (Photo provided by Lisa Harderlein)

The Conservancy wants to buy the 30-acre property north of Route 120 and west of Thompson Road, that the “wolf oak” stands on. The effort is part of the Conservancy’s Quercus initiative to preserve the areas oak trees. Oak savannahs covered about 40 percent of the land before settlers arrived. Now only 4 percent remain. The Conservancy is about halfway to its goal of raising $400,000 to purchase and restore the 30-acre parcel.

“The 30-acre parcel allows us to see the landscape very much like the early settlers did,” said Haderlein. “An undulating landscape, left by glaciers.”

The property contains not only the ancient oak, but a sedge meadow. A sedge meadow is a type of wetland that supports sedge growth, rather than grass and reeds. Tussock sedge grows to form mounds called hummocks. These hummocks provide habitat for a variety of insects. Where insects thrive, birds follow. Observers may spot Sandhill cranes, herons, egrets, swamp sparrows, soras, red-winged blackbirds, marsh wrens, sedge wrens, willow flycatchers, and more. Above the sedge meadow is an oak woodland bluff.

“In the modern era, a property like this would be flattened to make it easier to build,” said Haderlein.

The Conservancy periodically clears invasive species to encourage oak regeneration and to protect the descendants of the “wolf oak.” Eventually, they plan a parking lot, walking pants and educational signs for visitors. Although Haderlein plans fundraisers, interested people can donate now. Visit their website, conservemc.org or call the Conservancy at (815) 337-9502, or just mail a check to The Land Conservancy of McHenry County 4662 Dean Street, Woodstock  60098.

 

 

 

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