A beautiful black oak tree, Quercus velutina, was planted on a perfect morning at Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary to honor Mayor Biss on his 44th birthday, Sept. 27. The Mayor was not content to stand by and watch. He found tools and participated in all aspects of the planting, from cutting away the plastic protection holding the soil around the tree roots to shoveling the sand. Black oak is the only oak native to sand prairies in Illinois. The handsome 6-foot tall tree is planted in the north end of the sanctuary near the fence next to the bike path. Purchase was made possible by a generous gift of Marjorie Craig Benton.

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