In the heart of Plano’s Historic Downtown Arts District, a symbol of resilience and remembrance now stands where people once gathered to admire a towering, ancient tree.
After centuries of sheltering wildlife and watching over generations of Plano residents, the city’s oldest and largest tree — a Bur Oak estimated to be over 400 years old — fell during a fierce storm in October 2023. But thanks to the hands of a local sculptor and the vision of a community that treasures its history, its legacy is far from over.
The Sculpture
This spring, the ArtCentre of Plano unveiled a remarkable 360-degree sculpture created by North Texas artist Larry Solomon. Carved from the very wood of the fallen Bur Oak, the piece now graces the garden outside the ArtCentre’s home at the historic Saigling House in Haggard Park.
Featuring intricate representations of the wildlife that have roamed nearby Bob Woodruff Park for generations, Solomon’s sculpture pays tribute not only to the tree’s longevity but also to its place in Plano’s natural and cultural fabric…