A tree grows in Pontiac

The Pontiac (IL) Daily Leader reports that the city’s street superintendent, Andy Eckel, is retiring after 32 years with the city. One of Eckel’s pet projects during his long employment with the city was taking care of the city’s trees. The Route 66 Hall of Fame museum in Pontiac will benefit from his interest in trees, according to the article:

“Each year a ring is formed, so that tells the age of the tree. Small narrow rings indicate very little growth in a year and probably little rain. The bigger, wider rings usually indicate a good growth year and ample moisture. A tree was taken down at Vermillion and Reynolds streets this year and it was a very old tree. A large piece of wood from that tree will be sanded down. Important dates in Pontiac’s history will then be noted on the rings of the tree as its age and growing seasons are determined. The wood slab will then be given to the Route 66 Museum here,” said Eckel.

The full story can be read here.

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