Majestic oak is a true original
Tree of the Week is a new weekly feature that will showcase some of the biggest and most beautiful trees in the GTA, compiled by Megan Ogilvie. Here, Cleber de Abreu of Toronto tells us about his towering white oak tree.
Ten years ago, my wife, Sara Lopes, and I were looking to buy a house in Bloor West Village.
Back then, I was driving around one day and saw a “for sale” sign in front of this house on Colbeck St. When I got out of the car, the first thing that caught my eye was the majestic white oak tree in the front yard.
I’m not a forester, but I immediately knew this tree was way older than the house; the width of its trunk, its massive size compared to the other trees on the street, its location (it wasn’t planted in the same pattern as the other street trees) were all signs of its age.
It’s amazing to think that this tree is part of the original forest; it could have been here during the War of 1812. We’ve measured the trunk and it is110 centimetres in diameter.
A few years ago, city staff cut off one of its lower branches and I counted about 90 rings in the branch, so imagine how many rings there would be in the main trunk.
My wife and I thank the people who developed this area in the late1910s and early1920s for letting this tree stay and building our house around it. We’re proud to have this piece of Toronto history on our property. After 10 years, its size still fascinates us. The Star wants to hear about the most significant trees in your neighbourhood. Send an email to
mogilvie@thestar.ca with a photo of your tree and the following information: Tree type (species), trunk circumference (measured at chest height), location of the tree and a short explanation for why this tree deserves recognition. We may share your submission with readers in the Star and on thestar.com.