Why celebrate Oak trees?
Oak trees are a keystone species, meaning that entire ecosystems depend on them for survival and habitat. Acorns from oak trees feed more than 100 different wildlife species. Doug Tallamy found that over 500 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars live on oak trees, more than on any other tree. These insects play an important role in the food web because they are a food source for birds and other animals. Oak trees are also beautiful and can live a long time. Their large branches provide shade, helping to cool down neighborhoods in the summer. They also help reduce flooding and erosion by absorbing rainwater.
