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7 W ednesday , D ecem ber 15, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m Oakvilles Town council simultaneously made histo- ry and preserved history Monday night, designating the Bronte Road white oak tree as Oakvilles first stand- alone heritage tree. The designation under the Ontario Heritage Act means the tree is now protected under a specific bylaw and cannot be destroyed or significantly altered without the consent of Town Council. Numerous reasons have been listed for designating the tree. These reasons include that the tree is unique and rare in that it is approximately 250 years old, it has value as a community landmark and it is connected to numerous historical figures from Oakvilles past. James White, a sawmill owner, bought the land the tree stands on in the 1840s. The land and the tree were later passed to Whites son-in-law Paul Campbell, who transformed the 315- acre farm into the most renowned orchards in the area. The giant white oak was nearly cut down in 2006 when it was threatened by a road expansion project, however, a call for clemency, spearheaded by area resi- dent Joyce Burnell, ended with the road expansion being rerouted around the tree, leaving the tree intact. The idea to designate the tree was first brought for- ward in December 2009 when Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar offered a notice of motion calling for its protec- tion. At that time, Town council directed Town staff to consult with Halton Region, whose property the tree is on, about possible options for heritage designation. In early June the Region filed a letter with the Town supporting the heritage designation. The Town of Oakvilles intended designation of the Bronte Road oak tree under the Ontario Heritage Act is completely consistent with the Regions efforts to rec- ognize and preserve the white oak tree and we believe, serves to complement the Regions commitment to ensuring that the white oak tree is preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations, said Mark Meneray, commissioner of legislative and planning services and corporate counsel for Halton Region. OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO HERITAGE TREE: The white oak tree on Bronte Road, outside the Halton Regional Administration building, has been designated a heritage tree by Town Council. White oak tree offically part of towns heritage