POORLY MANAGED
I have been a certified arborist since the first year the certification law was passed decades ago. I have been actively volunteering since 1970 identifying and evaluating unique and old trees in Oak Ridge Cemetery and elsewhere in Illinois, starting with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. I have put plaques and QR codes on many trees at Oak Ridge, led tree walks and responded to questions from state elected officials about trees on behalf of the IDNR staff.
To my dismay – and disgust – the largest rare runcinata oak tree in Illinois (a hybrid of red and shingle oaks named Quercus x runcinata) suddenly has been destroyed needlessly. This tree, officially listed as a state champion tree more than 20 years ago, has stood as the focal point of the Vietnam War Memorial in Oak Ridge. What is the current IDNR, in charge of maintaining the War Memorial area as well as the Lincoln Tomb grounds, doing?
Early this summer, I noticed hundreds of tiny seedlings under the tree, each about 3-4 inches tall. I thought it would be amazing if the veterans could be allowed to pot up the tiny seedlings this fall and sell them as a fundraiser or give them to widows of the soldiers honored there. But, not only were the seedlings killed recently (which could have been done with a light surface treatment) but apparently a toxic compound was applied, penetrating the root system and killing this entire famous tree.
I have sadly watched the destruction of other amazing trees there over the years. One tree, brought here around 1934 from Lincoln’s birthplace at the same time others were planted at New Salem during village reconstruction, was removed because it was thought to be a little too close to the sidewalk. That followed the removal of the Lincoln Vault Oak, the great white oak that had been the last living witness to Lincoln’s funeral.
Most of the plaques donated and installed at the special trees in the Lincoln Tomb area by volunteers have been removed. Two of the largest rare flowering cotinus smoke trees in Springfield, along the west side of the Lincoln Tomb, were in perfect condition. But they were typically slow to leaf out and apparently assumed by some tree novice to be dead, so they were removed one spring without asking for any free advice.
Oak Ridge Cemetery, the second most-visited cemetery in the entire country, was designated as the Illinois Living Memorial following 9/11, with good cause. Having this series of tragedies affect the state-controlled land within this famous sacred place is sacrilege.
None of these wrongdoings can be blamed on Oak Ridge or the city of Springfield. The Lincoln Tomb area and the War Memorials, built via donations from veterans, were given to the state for, assumedly, careful long-term care as it probably was thought the city might be unable to do so consistently over time.
That apparently turned out to be an unexpected mistake, and I wish Oak Ridge Cemetery had been left in charge. They are great people and always asked for advice about the cemetery’s rare trees when needed. I’ve helped them for half a century, for free, and so have other arborists from across the U.S. and a couple of my other friends from around the world.
It is long past time that those now in charge at IDNR review their policies and make sure they consult and comply with experts before more negligence and inappropriate treatments are applied to the beautiful trees that have graced our amazing Oak Ridge Cemetery. Or maybe Oak Ridge should take over the maintenance to stop this mutilation of the historic trees of our state.
Guy Sternberg
Petersburg
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
The city missed a chance again to be proactive and work on amending an ordinance to help an individual who is trying to help himself (“City wins first round of tiny house battle,” July 30). Colton Lexus purchased a vacant lot – of which there are many – pays taxes and creatively found a safe way to survive. His tiny home is a way for others to get off the streets or out of the missions.
It must be easier for the city to push its bureaucratic boot on the neck of a person than put some thoughtful work into looking at the current homeless crisis and come up with a solution.
Paul Moore
Springfield
CORREX
After the Aug. 13 issue was sent to press, Illinois Times received additional information regarding Wolfgang Arterberry’s communication with the city of Springfield (“Prairie problems”). The article referenced Arterberry not receiving any response from Public Works following his inquiries after getting a violation notice stating he needed to mow his yard. In fact, Arterberry and the city inspector had exchanged several emails and Arterberry had proposed relocating some of the larger prairie plants to the back of his property, although the final resolution did not occur until after the print deadline.
This article appears in August 20-26, 2026.
