| This is an important old growth site that inspired L. Frank Baum to create The Great Forest of The Wizard of Oz, the most famous literary forest of the past 100 years. This grove is a site of worldwide significance. On HourCNY TV show on WNCY, Bruce KZershner said that this grove is "the most historic old grove forest in the eastern US"! This grove inspired Baum to create the Enchanted Forest, the most beloved literary forest in all the world!
This old growth forest is an unusual remnant of a southern type forest that is a relict of a warmer climate thousands of years ago.
Plaques on trees have been dedicated to important cultural people by the Historic Oak Grove Club of North Syracuse Junior High School.
The Eastern Native Tree Society website lists a 102.9 feet Red Maple at Lisha Kill Preserve in Niskayuna as the tallest Red Maple in New York. The Wizard of Oz Grove contains at least two Red Maples that are taller:
Onondaga County Champion Red Maple (8.9 foot girth and 103.9 foot height, measured by Bob Leverett 4/25/98)
103 foot tall Red Maple measured by Fred Breglia 5/5/02
As of 5/5/02, The Wizard of Oz Grove contains the tallest White Oak (114 feet) and Red Maple (103.9 feet) |