Standing for over a century, a majestic oak tree at North Shore United Methodist Church in Glencoe continues to grace the community with its presence. This impressive tree has not only provided shade and serenity to Sunday congregants but has also been honored as Glencoe’s 2026 Tree of the Year.

The annual tradition, led by the village’s Tree Commission, invites residents to nominate and celebrate their favorite trees. Given Glencoe’s 40-year recognition as a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation, earning this award highlights significant community admiration.

The legacy oak by the church dates back before the establishment of the congregation’s sanctuary at 213 Hazel Avenue in 1914. Ed Goodale, co-chair of the church’s trustees committee and the tree’s nominator, notes that the tree could be over 140 years old, calling it the “longest-serving member of our church.”

“It stretches out over the entire lawn area west of the sanctuary; it’s really something we treat with love.”

The church’s iconic tree has faced challenges, such as losing a substantial limb in a 1990s windstorm, yet remains mostly intact. This resilience brings comfort to its admirers.

Phil Kiraly, Glencoe’s village manager, expressed the village’s dedication to preserving its urban forest, noting that the award highlights the care residents have for community trees. “Among countless stunning trees in Glencoe, this beautiful oak has been a part of Glencoe for generations.”

Selection criteria for the award include a tree’s age, health, species preference for native types, and community significance. This year’s nomination saw fierce competition, yet North Shore’s oak emerged victorious over other entries like a young apple tree and a heavily supported bur oak.

In the previous year, a heritage bur oak on LaPier Street received accolades, recognized for its approximate 225-year history and significant trunk size, representing the natural beauty intrinsic to Glencoe.