Growing a Community: Principal John Hodge and the White Oak

Growing a Community: Principal John Hodge and the White Oak. "From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow." -Aeschylus. For 18 years, John Hodge was a vital part of the Irving community. During his tenure, he created the culture of kindness and inclusivity our school is so proud to have. Under his leadership, students, families, teachers, and staff came to truly belong in this welcoming and nourishing space. As a symbol of his legacy, this white oak will provide benefits to our ecosystem that reflect the values Mr. Hodge instilled in our school: One individual can be a keystone, but it takes all members of that community to make it complete. , , "Be respectful. Be responsible. Be safe... Everywhere. And as always, students, do your best." , , the Irving Eagle Essentials, shared daily by Mr. Hodge at the end of morning announcements , , The white oak (Quercus alba) is the state tree of Illinois and is native to (grows naturally in) this part of the country. Being a native tree, it is perfectly adapted to the climate and conditions of this region and is an important part of the ecosystem. These trees can reach nearly 100 feet tall and live up to 300 years! , , Beneath its large, spreading branches, a single white oak tree is a community unto itself. Tiny leafhoppers, brilliant scarlet tanagers, hundreds of different moth and butterfly caterpillars, deer, and even people can obtain food and shelter from it. ,
Oak trees host more than 530 species of caterpillars, more than any other tree! They are also home to many other insect species, such as beetles, and arthropods like spiders. This makes oak trees a favorite dining destination of bug-eating birds. In addition, the acorn is part of the winter diet of many birds, including blue jays and woodpeckers, as well as animals like squirrels. , , Oak trees are deciduous, shedding their leaves each autumn, and are considered one of the strongest trees for shelter because of their large branches, broad leaves, and tendency to keep their leaves longer into the fall than many other trees. Oaks are also incredibly durable (even when dead), as they have a high resistance to diseases and insects. Because of this, oaks are also a popular nesting location for breeding birds (including cavity nesters that may find a hole within the trunk). When it comes to attracting and sustaining birds, there is arguably no better option than an oak tree. If you're interested in bird watching, start at a nearby oak. , ,

All living creatures have a common name and a scientific name. Humans have many common names, people, Earthlings, humankind, children, students, Americans, Oak Parkers, depending on their geography, personal preference, history, and circumstance. But we have only one scientific name: Homo sapiens. A scientific name allows us to indicate exactly which creature we are talking about. Say Quercus alba to a plant scientist, and they'll know the tree you mean. Say stave oak (another name for white oak), and they might not.

, Birds Commonly Found in Oak Trees , . Baltimore Oriole , . Brown Thrasher , . Downy Woodpecker , . Northern Flicker , . Red-Bellied Woodpecker , . Rose-Breasted Grosbeak , . Ruby-Throated Hummingbird , . Scarlet Tanager , . Tufted Titmouse , . Warblers , . White-Breasted Nuthatch , , Black and White Warbler: , Found in Illinois in the spring and summer, these birds winter in areas from the southern United States to northern South America. They return to Illinois in late March or early April. , , Scarlet Tanager: , This lovely bird winters in South America, from Columbia and Bolivia to Ecuador and Peru. Spring migrants arrive in Illinois in late April. Nesting takes place from May through August in the northern two-thirds of Illinois, including Oak Park. , , Katydid , A variety of tiny moth species, walking sticks, and katydids grow into adults on the oak tree's leaves and branches. These insects add to forest ecosystems and provide more types of food for birds. , , The white oak is monoecious, which means that sepa (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers are produced on the same tree. Male flowers are the greenish-yellow catkins about 2-3½ inches long that develop near the tips of last year's branches. Greenish-red female flowers are produced at the tips of new shoots on very short stalks (less than 1/8-inch long) called peduncles. These flowers bloom in the spring for one to two weeks, and they are cross-pollinated by the wind. This process creates the fruit of the white oak, which is the acorn. , , This white oak was planted to honor beloved Irving Elementary School Principal John Hodge upon his retirement after the 2021-2022 school year and is made possible by generous donations from South East Oak Park Community Organization (SEOPCO) and individual Oak Park community members. SEOPCO's mission is To create a positive identity for South East Oak Park and to empower its citizens to act on behalf of their neighborhood.