Boxerwood’s Great Oak Falls

An enormous oak tree at Boxerwood Gardens toppled on Feb. 16 due to high winds and saturated soil, marking the end of an era for a tree that had stood for over a century.

The Great Oak, believed to be around 150 years old, had been a centerpiece of the gardens, witnessing learning and family events, children’s playtimes, and countless visitors who sought shade beneath its canopy.

“We are shocked and saddened because we knew this tree had more stories to tell,” said Hannah K. West, operations director at Boxerwood Nature Center. “[It was here] before Boxerwood was Boxerwood … standing solitary in a farm field and watching as other trees grew up around it since before the First World War.”

Despite its fall, the Great Oak will continue to provide for the ecosystem, offering a new habitat for wildlife. “Now, on the ground, it will become home to even more species,” West noted.

Boxerwood staff are inviting the community to visit the tree and share their memories. “We want to give anyone the opportunity to come and pay their respects,” West said, asking visitors to observe safety precautions as cleanup efforts begin. “We only ask that you respect the caution tape where there are hanging limbs and unsafe spots.”

Emily Kohl, executive director of the Boxerwood Education Association, said plans are in the works for a community gathering to honor the tree and reflect on the lifecycle of trees.

For those who wish to share memories, Boxerwood encourages visitors to tag #loveboxerwood on social media.