Legacy Oaks

Webster Groves Rotary Club

Century Oaks Project
 
Pin Oak at Eden Seminary
Webster Groves has long been known for its diverse overstory of 100- to 250-year-old oaks. Webster Groves Rotary estimates there are more than 150 Century Oaks that shade our Webster Groves streets, homes, and parks. Their formidable carbon-sequestering power lowers our urban temperature. However, many are entering the last phase of their long life spans.
 
To celebrate our 2024 Centennial, the Rotary Club initiated a unique program to renew our Webster Groves oak canopy. In fall 2023, we collected acorns from ten different species of our oldest and largest oak trees, which have proven adaptivity to Webster Groves.
 
The acorns of these landmark Legacy Oaks were nurtured into saplings by Forrest Keeling Nursery in Elsberry, Missouri. One year later, we were rewarded with almost 500 Legacy Oak saplings from these species:
 
1. Black Oak
2. Bur Oak
3. Pin Oak
4. Post White Oak
5. Shingle Oak
6. Shumard Oak
7. Swamp White Oak
8. White Oak
9. White Oak Hybrid
10. Willow Oak
.
 
Swamp White Oak near Larson Park
 
We sold 171 saplings last fall, and the remaining 320 saplings were over-wintered by Rotarian Steve Allen at his Shrewsbury landscaping business. Sales have now resumed during the prime spring-planting season. The Rotary Club is taking orders by species at $65 for each potted progeny tree, which range in height from 3 feet to 6 feet tall, depending on species.
 
Orders of each species will be filled by order date. If we run out of a species, you will have the opportunity to select another species from remaining inventory. (Please note that we are out of Pin oaks.) Trees may be picked up by appointment at Allen Outdoor Solutions, 7219 Weil Avenue, Shrewsbury. You may contact Steve Allen at alleninfo@allenoutdoorstl.com to make arrangements for pick-up.
 
Please fill out the order form that can be downloaded here: https://tinyurl.com/LEGACY-TREE-ORDER-FORM  and email your order to alleninfo@allenoutdoorstl.com or mail it via USPS to Rotary Club of Webster Groves, 45 West Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO 63119.
 
One day, these oaks will be the giant landmarks of Webster Groves. Select a location that will add shade and character to your neighborhood and streets. Please be sure to plant your tree at least 10 to 20 feet from the street, driveway, sidewalks, home, or another tree.
 
 
White Oak at
501 Oak Street
 
Post Oak at
624 Locksley Place
Post Oak at 135 Dornell Drive
Bur Oak at 204 Park Road
 
Bur Oak at 218 Glen Road
Shumard Oak at 360 Sidney Place
 
Black Oak at 379 Gray Ave
 
Black Oak at Emmanuel Church
                      Shingle Oak at 
                 410 Algonquin Place
 
 
 
Oak Species Descriptions  
(Information Source  “Trees Of Missouri “ by Don Kurz)
 
Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
Medium-sized tree, up to 70 feet tall, with a wide spreading, open crown and tall straight trunk.
 
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa Michaux) 
Medium to large tree, up to 80 feet tall, with a broad-spreading, rounded crown, a massive trunk, and low, large-spreading branches.
 
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris Muenchh)
Large tree, up to 100 feet tall, with a tall straight trunk and a pyramid-shaped crown. 
 
Post White Oak (Quercus stella Wangenh) 
Small to medium-sized tree, up to 70-80 feet tall, with broad, rounded crown and stout branches, sometimes contorted.
 
Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria Michaux)
Medium-sized tree, up to 80 feet tall, with a straight trunk and an open, broadly rounded crown.
 
Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii Buckley)
Medium to large-sized tree, up to 100 feet tall, with a tall, straight trunk, stout branches, and a large, open crown.
 
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor Willd)
Medium-sized tree, up to 80 feet tall, with an open, irregularly rounded crown, ascending upper branches, and somewhat pendulous lower branches.
 
White Oak (Quercus alba L. ) 
Large tree, up to 120 feet tall, with  a long, straight trunk and broad, rounded crown.