Jackson Street Park

Northern Oak Tree from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello Plantation

This Northern Red Oak located in the Jackson Street Park provides, like many of the trees, not only shade and its natural beauty but a small sense of history as well. Over ten (10) years ago Lucille Murray, who is most often seen around the City planting and tending to trees and flowers (she also serves on the City's Planning and Zoning Committee and the Tree Board) was one of the very few nationwide who were selected to receive a sapling that came from Thomas Jefferson's home - Monticello - located near Charlottesville, VA. During Mr. Jefferson's lifetime he spent many hours on the grounds of his home selecting and planting various trees and flowers from the thirteen (13) states and then keeping detailed, copious notes about their progress at Monticello. When first received, the sapling was only four (4) inches tall and one (1) inch in circumference. Ms. Murray planted the sapling in the park, put a fence around it and hoped that it would survive it first harsh winter in Missouri. As one can see from the pictures above not only did the little sapling survive but it flourished as it currently stands well over twenty (20) feet in height and continues to provide its shade, its beauty as well as its sense of history to the citizens of Willard and anyone else visiting the park.