Missing butterflies and songbirds? Plant an oak. Entomologist Doug Tallamy links white oak trees to 534 species of moths and butterflies, not including the vast array of birds and other wildlife that visit and populate these magnificent trees both seasonally and year round.
Sharing Tallamy’s understanding and appreciation for this ecosystem, BACT is kicking off its 5th Annual Great Oaks of Barrington Contest to recognize people, who care for our area’s precious oak trees — from those who plant oaks to those who clear out invasive species beneath our community’s long-lived sentinels.
Last year BACT added the Acorn Award to recognize people that are inspiring others to grow oaks through their own positive example. The Trust also created a special award to recognize the Most Fascinating (but true) Story behind local oaks.
Age, health, location, classic beauty, and personal story are used to judge the trees. The overall winner receives a free consultation with an oak tree expert to support their oak’s long-term health as well as a framed photo of themselves with their oak tree. The greatest award comes with the reappearance of wildlife that rely on these disappearing giants.
Participation in the competition is different each year. Anyone with a healthy oak tree – big or small – can enter their tree, however past winners may not re-enter their winning tree for at least 5 years.
According to the Illinois State Museum, there are approximately 20 species of oaks that are native to Illinois. Bur, red, white, and swamp white oaks are just a few species that are common to our area and BACT staff can suggest sources for seedlings as well as saplings.
Through the BACT | Conservation@Home program, BACT helps future Great Oaks Contest participants learn how to successfully re-introduce oaks or make a better home for those that already exist. To learn more, please contact BACT Conservation@Home coordinator Beth Adler at [email protected]. To enter an oak in the Great Oaks of Barrington Contest, please visit www.bactrust.org to download an entry form and send your submission to naturalist April Anderson at [email protected] or call (847) 387-3149.
BACT is a 501(c)3 organization which depends on funding from private sources and people like you. The mission of the Trust is to preserve open lands, natural resources, equestrian character, and scenic beauty for the Barrington communities.
It’s that time of year again. Time to gear up for the Great Oaks of Barrington contest! You don’t have to have a hundred-year-old oak to enter. All you need to have is an oak you care for and a special story. The culmination of this celebration will take place at our Arbor Day tree talk April 23. Please spread the word, enter an oak, and plan to be part of the celebration.
Entry forms are available at bactrust.org. All entries need to be received by March 2 to be considered for our 2015 contest.