(1) SAVANNA drawing by Susan Van Horn Your tour begins under the ancient bur oak estimated to be 250 years old. This tree was here before European settlers arrived and is recorded in Famous and Historic Trees by Randall and Clepper.

In Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold writes, "Bur oak is the only tree that can stand up to a prairie fire and live. Have you ever wondered why a thick crust of corky bark covers the whole tree... This cork is an armor. Bur oaks were the shock troops sent by the invading forest to storm the prairie; fire is what they had to fight." drawing by Cynthia Gehrie

In spring, delicate white rue anemones, pale blue wild hyacinths and pink wild geraniums bloom in profusion. In summer, few plants can flower in the shade of the bur oaks. Fall brings the blooms of goldenrods and woodland (pale-leaved) sunflower.