Quincentennial Bur Oak Grove

Bob Woodruff Park is one of Plano’s oldest and heavily used green spaces. It is also the home of a majestic Quincentennial Bur Oak Tree in the southern sector of the park. That means that for over 500 years this Bur Oak has served everyone from the first settlers to these prairie lands, to the present-day families of this great city. Over time, Bob Woodruff Park has lost precious trees from these once lush groves guarded by the Bur Oak. Approximately 125 new mature trees were needed to replenish the 10 groves in Bob Woodruff Park. Each grove accommodated 10 to 12 trees that individuals or groups funded or physically planted while volunteering.

Together with the City of Plano and a multitude of valued partners and sponsors, we had several planting events over the years at Bob Woodruff Park in both the north and south areas. Alliance Data volunteers came out multiple times to plant trees around the pond and running trail including an honorary plating for Plano Parks & Recreation’s 50^th anniversary, where they planted 50 trees. These trees will serve park guests while they exercise and enjoy the park. Additionally, the trees are planted in low-lying, flood-prone area and will help soak in rainwater runoff from nearby streets and neighborhoods.

Our final and most recent planting had dozens of volunteers from City of Plano, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, FedEx, Alliance Data, Verizon, Capital One, Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Troop 259 Plano & Cub Scout Pack 2007 who planted hundreds of large and bareroot trees with their coworkers, friends, and families.