Celebrating 400 Years of The Temple Oak

By Nic Moss

“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.”
~Joyce Kilmer

If only ancient trees could talk, this tree, a chinquapin oak, one of the oldest trees in the world, would have plenty of stories to tell.

Ancient trees like the Temple Oak connect us to a world long gone, preserving the history of the surrounding land and reminding us of how much life and nature have changed over the centuries.

Trees, with their trunks and crowns, act as a living fossil record, logging the passage of time in their tree rings. Each tree ring marks a year of history, a record of the soil and climate in which they stood.

Timeless Tales: Ancient Tree Stories

The Temple Chinquapin Oak is a historic neighborhood landmark with a 400-year-old tree history that predates when the United States was established.

It was just a young sprout on the earth in a forest, along with its grove, when the Pilgrims landed and started a new life in North America, making it one of the oldest trees in the region. Over time, this oak tree has thrived and adapted to the changing environment, with its roots digging deep into the soil.

Now a city has grown up around the surrounding land of this ancient tree.

The Temple Oak: 400 Years of Living History

The oldest tree and probably the great grandfather of trees in this urban area where it stands alive and proud, located at the corner of Temple and Brookside Parkway, on the east side of Indianapolis, hence being called "The Temple Oak". 

Rachel, one of the owners of the house with one of the ancient trees, reflects on the tree's impressive 400 years of growth.

“From 2014, I think the height of the tree was maybe 83 feet, and then we measured it's standing 88 feet. The average crown spread or canopy of the tree was 121 feet, and now it's 127 feet. And then the circumference of the tree trunk in 2014 was 19 feet, and now it's at 20 feet.”

Standing Strong: The Great Grandfather of Indianapolis' Trees

The canopy of this ancient tree provides shelter and food for countless species of animals that thrive and exist in its presence.

It could soon be a national historic landmark.

“Right now, looking at the Chinquapin Oak point system, the Temple Oak should be the third champion chinquapin oak in the United States,” Rachel says.

“So not a historical marker, yet.”

This mighty oak has long been a source of pride and care in the Springdale neighborhood. It's a popular gathering spot for neighborhood events and residents.

Nature’s Canopy: The Temple Oak and Its Role in the Environment

The Temple Oak's significance extends beyond its impressive size and age, an example of nature's endurance. It has become a symbol of unity and care within the community.

The neighborhood has rallied around this ancient tree, raising funds to protect it from pests and hurricanes, Temple Oak even has its own bank account. A local arborist even volunteers time and tools to ensure the tree receives the care it needs.

Rachel shares “Ultimately, we kind of have a whole community that loves this tree and takes care of it. So I don't like to say that I own it, I just like to say I'm its roommate right now.”

It takes a village to love and care for a tree.

Legacy of Life: A Family’s Bond with the Temple Oak

Rachel shares a touching story about the previous owners, who loved the tree so much that they bought the house specifically for it.

When they passed away, their family asked Rachel to spread their ashes around the tree.

“They unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago. The family reached out to me, asking me to spread the ashes around the impressive roots of this ancient tree. And there's still some left, so they will be here for eternity.”

The Temple Oak Through the Seasons: A View of Nature's Endurance

Winter, spring, summer, and fall, the Temple Oak has seen 400 of each throughout its 400-year-old tree history.

For Rachel, the tree's beauty is most evident in the winter. 

"My favorite view of the tree is in the winter because that makes it seem the biggest to me. For some reason, in the winter, you just really see how thick the branches are and just how wide it really is."

But for Rachel, every day fills their yard and their windows with a bird's eye view of nature and history. 

“Talk to the tree. We say hi to it. We say good morning to it. Many neighbors who have grown up here, I see them stopping and just marveling at it.” 

And with 365 days a year and over 400 years, that's 146,000 good mornings.

Every leaf, every branch, every season for centuries, even Joyce Kilmer just might be able to work up a poem or two.

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