Heritage Oak Project

The Dane County Heritage Oak Project was launched in 1976 to coincide with the US Bicentennial. Conservationist Walter Scott identified 443 oaks over 200 years of age within an 8-mile radius of the Capitol. By 2001, half of these oaks remained while the other half had died, been cut down, or could not be located. As of 2024, these nearly 250(!) year-old oaks have been resurveyed. We are now adding heritage oaks to the inventory that weren't on the original survey. Please read here for more information!