The Legacy of Seven Oaks: From Roots to Branches

by Sr. Celeste Wobeter, ND

It was in 1910 that our first Sisters from Bohemia came to the United States to care for young Czech girls in an orphanage in Fenton, MO.  Immediately after their arrival, they were called to teach in schools in Dodge Nebraska, Spillville, Cedar Rapids and Chelsea, Iowa and beyond, including Boys Town.  Learning from Father Flanagan at Boys Town that he was planning to sell his property at Seven Oaks Farm in Florence, Nebraska, Mother Qualberta made the decision to establish the Motherhouse and Novitiate at this location. She bought this farm on April 10, 1920.

As the Sisters recognized the need for education for girls, in 1925 they made the decision to build a school on this same property, which opened in 1926, with the first graduating class in 1927.

You may wonder what inspired the name, Seven Oaks Farm, for this property.  Originally there were seven large Bur Oak trees on the property where previous owners raised chickens and had large gardens with vegetables, fruit trees, berries, etc.

Today only one of these Bur Oak trees still thrives in this property, known as Grandmother Oak.   As April is Earth Month, we take some time to reflect on the beauty and strength of the Bur Oak tree and especially Grandmother Oak.

The Bur Oak is considered to be the King of the Great Plains native hardwood trees.

It is the most common native oak in Nebraska growing in the eastern third of the state.  Many years ago the whole area around Seven Oaks Farm was initially covered with Bur Oak trees and many still survive in nearby wooded areas.  However, only one of the original Bur Oak trees stands strong and sturdy on the former Seven Oaks Farm which is now Notre Dame Housing.

First, I will share some information about Bur Oak trees in general, and, secondly, some information about our beautiful Grandmother Oak.

Some facts about the Bur Oak tree:

Most of the tree is below ground.  The first few years it spends most of the time expanding its roots.  It is stated that at the end of the first growing season the Bur Oak may be one-foot-high above ground with a four-foot array of lateral roots spread out in all directions underground.  An 80-year-old tree may have a root structure of 16 feet deep and 72 foot lateral spread!

The tree has large fan-shaped leaves which vary in size.  The corky, thick, deep bark of the tree is able to withstand wildfires better than most trees.  The tree’s large acorns wrap around the nut in a distinguishable bur-lined cap.

Bur oaks are 35 years old before they begin to produce seeds.  The most productive time for seed bearing is between 75 and 150 years.  Bur Oaks are unique in that they are both male and female.  Tiny female flowers form first and are fertilized by the male flower catkins on the same tree.

Just a little information about Grandmother Oak.  Connie Nielsen, a resident at Notre Dame Housing, and I wanted to determine the age of this beautiful tree.  After several measurements and a little math, we determined that the tree is approximately 275 years old!  It may be 300 years old!  Ever beautiful!  Providing beauty and shade, shelter and food for birds and animals!  Always waiting to be admired and loved