By Cathy Ingalls, Albany Regional Museum board member
Stands of majestic Oregon white oak trees that once dominated the mid-valley before settlers arrived have disappeared for the most part, but one tree of significance remains.
The Messenger Oak, Photo Courtesy: Kay Burt
That is the “Messenger Oak” in the parking lot of Heritage Mall. The tree, thought to be somewhere between 200 and 300 years old, is a remnant of what is known as the Hackleman Grove.
Dedication Plaque for Albany Heritage Tree status. Photo Courtesy: Kay Burt
The tree, with a circumference of 12.5 feet and a crown spreading about 90 feet, got its name because people used to leave notes for one another in a crevice. Because of the tree’s age and size, it was designated as one of Albany’s seven heritage trees in 1999.
The Messenger Oak gained a lot of attention several years ago when arborists gave the tree a thorough pruning after two large limbs broke off, and then a tree service removed a number of rotten branches.
After the work was completed, the man who trimmed and thinned the oak said he did his work properly, while a certified arborist and others contended that he cut so much out of the tree that its health was in jeopardy. One arborist estimated that about 40 percent of the tree’s live parts were trimmed.
Another significant example of a preserved white oak in Albany is at the historic Keyhole house at 1638 First Ave. S.E. The tree’s circumference is about 10 feet and it has about a 40-foot crown spread.
Other white oaks can be found in Eleanor Hackleman Park and at Talking Water Gardens, site of the city’s water treatment plant. The plant is at the far edge of what was part of the Burkhart Donation Land Claim.
Oregon white oak trees were important to Native Americans for the acorns, which were a food source.
Other trees over the years that received the heritage designation include:
The Japanese Lace Leaf Maple at the Blain House, 624 Broadalbin St. S.W. It is thought that David Blain, who owned Blain Clothing Co., planted the tree when his house was built in 1906.
The Incense Cedar at 406 Sixth Ave. S.W. The tree boasted a massive trunk and stood 100 feet tall. The tree probably was planted about 1880.
The Camperdown Scotch Elm at 547 Seventh Ave. S.W. Camperdown elms have weeping branches so they often were planted in cemeteries.
The Shagbark Hickory at Henderson Park, Calapooia Street and Eighth Avenue S.W. When it received heritage status, it was considered likely to be very old.
The American Chestnut at 393 Creswell Lane N.W. in North Albany. It was probably planted in the early Albany settlement days.
The Copper Beech at 532 Ferry St. S.W. It is of the purple-leaf variety and probably was planted at the turn of the 20th Century.
The Black Walnut at 1431 Highway 20 N.W. It measured 83 inches in diameter and 22 feet in circumference. The tree was planted around 1889.
Hybrid Persian Walnut at the U.S. Department of Energy Research Center. The tree can be traced back to 1899, where a small wood-framed home and Albany Nurseries were located.
Albany was named a Tree City USA 20 years ago. The program, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, involves meeting certain standards related to tree planting and management.