In a unanimous decision by the LA County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, an oak tree steeped in history and admired by the Stevenson Ranch community has been designated a historic landmark. The tree known as "Old Glory", reported to have begun its lengthy life around 400 years ago, has now been formally recognized for its significance. "That tree is an incredible teacher, and I think will continue to teach now, with this landmark status," John Quigley, the environmental activist who once took residence in the tree's branches for 71 days, told NBC Los Angeles.
Facing destruction in 2002 for a proposed subdivision, Quigley's protest ultimately saved the tree. Defying both natural and human adversities, he recounted the hardships he endured which included, "The windstorms, all the threats, the gunshots, the exploding mailboxes." The tree, a Quercus lobata, was relocated in 2004 to Pico Canyon Park, where it now stands as a testament to resilience and a community's spirit. The move, drawing a comparison to the precise engineering feat of transporting the Space Shuttle to the California Science Museum, was deemed remarkable as mature oaks are notoriously difficult to transplant, yet "Old Glory" thrived post-relocation.
The drive for its landmark status was championed by local advocacy group Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment (SCOPE), which gathered 80 petition signatures. This effort led to a nomination by the Board of Supervisors in July 2023, culminating with the recent ratification. "This majestic tree is not only a symbol of resilience and community spirit but also an important remnant of the rich ecological heritage of the region," Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger stated in the ratification motion. Over the years, "Old Glory" garnered support from numerous residents, illustrated by the letter from two children pleading for its preservation. Lynne Plambeck, president of SCOPE, expressed her admiration for the oak, saying to Daily News, "If you look up from standing under it, it is like a cathedral."
While many celebrate this victory, Plambeck emphasizes that the conservation of "Old Glory" should be a starting point. In her statement obtained by Daily News, she called for more stringent measures from the Planning Department to prevent future removal of oaks, "Saving one is a magnificent symbol but it is not enough." Among other historic trees lost in Los Angeles, the Encino Oak Tree fell to an El Niño storm in 1998, while the Wisdom Tree in Griffith Park remains another symbol of endurance, having withstood a severe wildfire. With "Old Glory" now officially recognized, the hope prevails that other venerable trees may also gain the protection they deserve.
