A recent storm that ripped through Quincy took with it many of the western Illinois city's oldest and grandest trees — including one giant black oak thought to be nearly 300 years old.

Anne St. John is chairman of the Quincy Tree Commission, which oversees the city's forestland. She calls the tree "a good warrior" that "stood for many years through many storms."

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports that the tree existed when Abraham Lincoln came to Quincy in 1858. Some hoped the tree could be declared an "Abraham Lincoln Tree" and be listed on the Illinois Big Tree Register as one of the tallest in the state.

St. John says she hopes the loss of some of the city's oldest trees reinvigorates efforts to plant more, especially along Maine Street.

Storm damage in Quincy, Illinois
Alta King
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