Preserve our Historic Sterling Oak from Demolition
Preserve our Historic Sterling Oak from Demolition
The Issue
The pen is mightier than the sword. In this case, I'm hoping the pen is mightier than the chainsaw.
On the east side of Van Dyke Ave, just north of Riverland Drive in Sterling Heights, MI, a 264-year-old chinkapin oak tree is set to be cut down to make way for an apartment building. It is the 7th known largest of its species in the state of Michigan.
This petition was written with the hopes of working together for a creative solution to develop our city of Sterling Heights while preserving this massive chunk of living history.
Across cultures and through generations this still and great living giant stands testament to the people who live in Sterling Heights then and now. If we cut it down for another new building to pop up, it's story will be ended. What a great opportunity for us to save something truly special!
When Michigan was logged 200 years ago, most of the old growth was cut down. Michigan was a barren landscape. I'm not sure why this beautiful Chinquapin oak was spared, but let's not cut its life now! It has already survived so much, much like many of our residents. Our elders are respected in our community. Our elders are veterans and have earned the wisdom they have. What if we just said no? What if we made it a priority to protect this tree for our future generations to enjoy? If we cut it down they won't have that option. What if we just saved it for them?
It's easy to make a quick decision and erase a chunk of history. But once it's gone it's gone forever!
For example: The birthing tree in McMinnville, TN has been around 500 years. In the case of the Birthing Tree, the settlers could have chopped it down and used its timber but instead it became a pillar of the community. Auburn Hills, MI has the Bebb Oak. A tree that has watched generations thrive around it and now sits on the side of Livernois Road continuing to live as a plaque honors it. Sterling Heights deserves that same honor and culture. We can keep The Sterling Oak as evidence of something that unites us.
Please visit https://www.sterling-oak.org/ for details and to get involved!
Link to our local newspaper story:
https://www.candgnews.com/news/centuriesold-tree-endangered-by-new-development-7432
3,636
The Issue
The pen is mightier than the sword. In this case, I'm hoping the pen is mightier than the chainsaw.
On the east side of Van Dyke Ave, just north of Riverland Drive in Sterling Heights, MI, a 264-year-old chinkapin oak tree is set to be cut down to make way for an apartment building. It is the 7th known largest of its species in the state of Michigan.
This petition was written with the hopes of working together for a creative solution to develop our city of Sterling Heights while preserving this massive chunk of living history.
Across cultures and through generations this still and great living giant stands testament to the people who live in Sterling Heights then and now. If we cut it down for another new building to pop up, it's story will be ended. What a great opportunity for us to save something truly special!
When Michigan was logged 200 years ago, most of the old growth was cut down. Michigan was a barren landscape. I'm not sure why this beautiful Chinquapin oak was spared, but let's not cut its life now! It has already survived so much, much like many of our residents. Our elders are respected in our community. Our elders are veterans and have earned the wisdom they have. What if we just said no? What if we made it a priority to protect this tree for our future generations to enjoy? If we cut it down they won't have that option. What if we just saved it for them?
It's easy to make a quick decision and erase a chunk of history. But once it's gone it's gone forever!
For example: The birthing tree in McMinnville, TN has been around 500 years. In the case of the Birthing Tree, the settlers could have chopped it down and used its timber but instead it became a pillar of the community. Auburn Hills, MI has the Bebb Oak. A tree that has watched generations thrive around it and now sits on the side of Livernois Road continuing to live as a plaque honors it. Sterling Heights deserves that same honor and culture. We can keep The Sterling Oak as evidence of something that unites us.
Please visit https://www.sterling-oak.org/ for details and to get involved!
Link to our local newspaper story:
https://www.candgnews.com/news/centuriesold-tree-endangered-by-new-development-7432
3,636
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Petition created on January 26, 2025