As the United States of America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, there’s a tree in Webster Groves that’s been around even longer.
The giant burr oak tree in Larson Park along the bank of Shady Creek is estimated to be about 350 years old. Fifty years ago, the tree was designated Webster Groves’ official “Liberty Tree” as part of Missouri’s Bicentennial celebration — a celebration marked by a plaque that today remains at the foot of the tree.
Ann McReynolds of the Webster Groves Historical Society said Missouri’s Bicentennial Commission worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Conservation Commission in 1975 and 1976 to encourage communities across the state to find trees at least 200 years old to serve as area “Liberty Trees.” Webster Groves participated in this and chose the burr oak in Larson Park as its official “Liberty Tree.”…