The Mighty Oak: America’s National Tree

We’ve talked before about how the stately, sprawling Southern Live Oak is Georgia’s state tree. But did you know we also have a national tree? 

In late 2004, the Arbor Day Foundation held a 4-month-long vote to determine which tree species should be declared the national tree. There were 21 candidates to choose from, though voters were also welcome to write in any tree of choice for consideration. The goal was to select a broad tree category, rather than a specific species. 

​From the very first day of polling, the oak held the lead. By the end of the voting period, the oak was the clear winner with over 101,000 votes. For comparison, the runner-up (the redwood) brought in just under 81,000 votes. 

​With the people’s choice determined, it was presented in a bill to Congress. It passed smoothly and was then sent to the President’s desk. On December 15th, 2004, it was signed into law: America’s national tree is the oak.

​Why Choose a National Tree?

​With every state denoting its own state tree, it may seem redundant to have a national tree. The president of the National Arbor Day Foundation as the time, John Rosenow, explained:

​“We undertook this vote to remind Americans of just how important trees are to us all, and to emphasize the history and grandeur of our trees.”

About Oak Trees

​The oak is America’s most widespread hardwood, with more than 60 species growing native across the country. They’re everywhere you look, from our city streets to our national parks to your own backyard. Oaks are vital to their local ecosystems as sources of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, supporting more life forms than any other North American tree genus. 

​The genus has been around for thousands, if not millions, of years, and the individual trees themselves are some of the longest-living in the arboreal world. White oaks, for example, easily reach 300 years old, and certain trees have been recorded surpassing 600 years. There’s a southern live oak in Louisiana estimated to be nearly 1,500 years old, and an English oak nearing 2,000 years old in Lithuania. In California, a colony of Palmer’s oak clones, also called the Jurupa Oak, is believed to be more than 13,000 years old.

​Oaks can be seen throughout human history. Ink has been made from oak galls since the 4th century, and acorns have been an important source of food for a variety of cultures since before written record. Oak leaves have been used as symbols of royalty and military rank throughout the ages. “Old Ironsides” herself, the U. S. S. Constitution, was made from white oak.

If you’d like to explore the various oak species native to North America, check out the USDA’s field guide. 

---

Author

Emily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has worked with Classic City Arborists for the last 5 years. In addition to handling administrative tasks and customer communication (she’s the voice you’ll hear on the phone!), Emily is an experienced copywriter, editor, and storyboard consultant. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.

Sources:
National Park Service
Arbor Day Foundation