# Oak Tree one step closer to protection

NORTH OAKVILLE TODAY – The Great White Oak Tree on Bronte Road is one step closer to being under the protective boughs of the Town of Oakville.

At a meeting Monday night, Council unanimously approved the designation of the 250-year-old oak as the Town’s first heritage tree.

The last stage left in the heritage designation process is a 30-day notice period, during which objections can be made. Opposition is unlikely, however, due to the fact that the Region of Halton owns the land the tree stands on and has sent a letter to the Town supporting the designation.

Local and Regional Councillor for Ward 4 Allan Elgar, the tree’s most vocal supporter on Town Council, spoke about how glad he was to be at this point especially after the oak’s tumultuous recent history.

“This really proves to me that Oakville citizens have a heart,” said Elgar, “and I really think that that’s what sets this community apart from any other community in Canada.”

The tree first took roots in the 1760s and stood in relative peace until 1972 when the provincial government looked to have it removed.

George Atkins, radio broadcaster and owner of the tree’s property at the time managed to stop the oak from being turned into matchsticks and was able to preserve it by putting clauses in the deed to the land.

Then in 2002, Elgar recalled, Regional Council was presented with a consultant’s report that said the tree would die if Bronte road was widened around the tree. The Region then decided the tree must go.

In January 2006, Elgar and former Councillor Renee Sandelowsky, contacted two arborists to come and look at the tree. 

After seeing the arborists report from 2001, the specialists determined that the tree could in fact survive indefinitely as long as some precautions were taken during the road widening.

“So the fight began,” said Elgar.

Elgar said a woman in her 80s named Joyce Burnell took up the crusade and went to talk to Regional Council. After hearing her speak (and sing, so the story goes), they granted her the chance to raise $343,000 to save the tree.

After Sarah Harmer raised national attention putting on a benefit concert for the oak, donations started coming in from all over the globe, including Japan, Singapore and parts of the United States. A secret donor even kicked in $150,000 to the cause.

By November 5, 2006, the grand total raised was $267,000 leaving $75,000 still to be raised.

In a grand gesture, the Town, the Region and the provincial government all put in $25,000 each to reach Burnell’s goal.

Now, the ancient tree still stands and is surrounded by a protective wall while construction crews work to widen Bronte Road between the QEW and Upper Middle Road. 

# Oak Tree one step closer to protection

NORTH OAKVILLE TODAY – The Great White Oak Tree on Bronte Road is one step closer to being under the protective boughs of the Town of Oakville.

At a meeting Monday night, Council unanimously approved the designation of the 250-year-old oak as the Town’s first heritage tree.

The last stage left in the heritage designation process is a 30-day notice period, during which objections can be made. Opposition is unlikely, however, due to the fact that the Region of Halton owns the land the tree stands on and has sent a letter to the Town supporting the designation.

Local and Regional Councillor for Ward 4 Allan Elgar, the tree’s most vocal supporter on Town Council, spoke about how glad he was to be at this point especially after the oak’s tumultuous recent history.

“This really proves to me that Oakville citizens have a heart,” said Elgar, “and I really think that that’s what sets this community apart from any other community in Canada.”

The tree first took roots in the 1760s and stood in relative peace until 1972 when the provincial government looked to have it removed.

George Atkins, radio broadcaster and owner of the tree’s property at the time managed to stop the oak from being turned into matchsticks and was able to preserve it by putting clauses in the deed to the land.

Then in 2002, Elgar recalled, Regional Council was presented with a consultant’s report that said the tree would die if Bronte road was widened around the tree. The Region then decided the tree must go.

In January 2006, Elgar and former Councillor Renee Sandelowsky, contacted two arborists to come and look at the tree. 

After seeing the arborists report from 2001, the specialists determined that the tree could in fact survive indefinitely as long as some precautions were taken during the road widening.

“So the fight began,” said Elgar.

Elgar said a woman in her 80s named Joyce Burnell took up the crusade and went to talk to Regional Council. After hearing her speak (and sing, so the story goes), they granted her the chance to raise $343,000 to save the tree.

After Sarah Harmer raised national attention putting on a benefit concert for the oak, donations started coming in from all over the globe, including Japan, Singapore and parts of the United States. A secret donor even kicked in $150,000 to the cause.

By November 5, 2006, the grand total raised was $267,000 leaving $75,000 still to be raised.

In a grand gesture, the Town, the Region and the provincial government all put in $25,000 each to reach Burnell’s goal.

Now, the ancient tree still stands and is surrounded by a protective wall while construction crews work to widen Bronte Road between the QEW and Upper Middle Road. 

# Oak Tree one step closer to protection

NORTH OAKVILLE TODAY – The Great White Oak Tree on Bronte Road is one step closer to being under the protective boughs of the Town of Oakville.

At a meeting Monday night, Council unanimously approved the designation of the 250-year-old oak as the Town’s first heritage tree.

The last stage left in the heritage designation process is a 30-day notice period, during which objections can be made. Opposition is unlikely, however, due to the fact that the Region of Halton owns the land the tree stands on and has sent a letter to the Town supporting the designation.

Local and Regional Councillor for Ward 4 Allan Elgar, the tree’s most vocal supporter on Town Council, spoke about how glad he was to be at this point especially after the oak’s tumultuous recent history.

“This really proves to me that Oakville citizens have a heart,” said Elgar, “and I really think that that’s what sets this community apart from any other community in Canada.”

The tree first took roots in the 1760s and stood in relative peace until 1972 when the provincial government looked to have it removed.

George Atkins, radio broadcaster and owner of the tree’s property at the time managed to stop the oak from being turned into matchsticks and was able to preserve it by putting clauses in the deed to the land.

Then in 2002, Elgar recalled, Regional Council was presented with a consultant’s report that said the tree would die if Bronte road was widened around the tree. The Region then decided the tree must go.

In January 2006, Elgar and former Councillor Renee Sandelowsky, contacted two arborists to come and look at the tree. 

After seeing the arborists report from 2001, the specialists determined that the tree could in fact survive indefinitely as long as some precautions were taken during the road widening.

“So the fight began,” said Elgar.

Elgar said a woman in her 80s named Joyce Burnell took up the crusade and went to talk to Regional Council. After hearing her speak (and sing, so the story goes), they granted her the chance to raise $343,000 to save the tree.

After Sarah Harmer raised national attention putting on a benefit concert for the oak, donations started coming in from all over the globe, including Japan, Singapore and parts of the United States. A secret donor even kicked in $150,000 to the cause.

By November 5, 2006, the grand total raised was $267,000 leaving $75,000 still to be raised.

In a grand gesture, the Town, the Region and the provincial government all put in $25,000 each to reach Burnell’s goal.

Now, the ancient tree still stands and is surrounded by a protective wall while construction crews work to widen Bronte Road between the QEW and Upper Middle Road.