Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

Historic Old Oaks in Ohio

Starting from the smallest of acorns, an oak tree can grow to majestic proportions, and have a life that spans hundreds of years. In Ohio, a few different species grow, including bur, chestnut, red, and white oaks. While many have come and gone without note, others have gained historic reputations during their life.

Jesse Owens Olympic Oak Tree
- Jesse Owens gained international fame at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, where his performances won him 4 gold medals. The gold medal winners also received oak saplings to commemorate their victory, and one of the four that Owens received remains alive today. Located at the James Ford Rhodes High School in Cleveland, Ohio, the tree has now stood in place for more than 70 years, and provides a reminder of the impressive athletic career of Owens.
Whispering Oak Tree
- Constructed in the 1790s, Fort Saint Clair protected the area around Eaton, Ohio, from Indian attacks. While the fort no longer stands, a remnant of the era remains, with the Whispering Oak Tree now greater than 200 years old. The site of the tree contains the graves of six Kentucky Riflemen, who died defending the fort against the warriors of the Indian Chief, Little Turtle. A public park now stands on the location of the fort, making it possible to visit the Whispering Oak, and check if the legend that it whispers holds true.
Goll Woods State Nature Preserve
- The Goll Woods State Nature Preserve (ohiodnr.com) covers an area of land in the northwest region of Ohio. Located close to the village of Archbold in Fulton County, the area is a remnant of the "Black Swamp" forest landscape that once covered much of Ohio. The main features of the preserve include huge bur, white and chinquapin oak trees, with some of these up to 400 years old. This provides visitors with a glimpse of the Ohio landscape from times past.
Shawshank Redemption Oak
- An old oak tree that gained fame after being featured in a movie stands on private land in Richland County, Ohio. The Shawshank Redemption included many scenes filmed in Ohio, with the oak tree that is located close to Malabar Farm State Park (malabarfarm.org) featured at the end of the movie. Fans of the movie can travel the Shawshank Trail, which takes in many of the filming locations. This includes the oak tree, which can best be viewed from the state park. Visitors should note that high winds in July 2011 damaged the tree, such that only half of it now remains in place.

Nature