The Harvard Street Willow Oak

On Harvard Street, between Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant, one willow oak has grown to nearly twice the width of every oak around it. It stands on the sidewalk in front of 1661 Harvard Street NW, and the city's tree inventory measures its trunk at about 156 centimetres across at chest height, roughly 4.9 metres round. The comparison is right there on the block. Within twenty metres, the inventory lists two pin oaks of about 79 and 86 centimetres and another willow oak of about 83. Same street, similar trees, and this one is in a different league. Laser survey fields in the record give it a crown about 27 metres tall spreading over some 470 square metres, enough to shade a good stretch of the street. It is also in good health. At its last inspection, in June 2025, the arborist rated it Excellent, noting only deadwood to take out. Columbia Heights Metro is about 700 metres away, roughly a nine-minute walk. The inventory is the only source for this tree, and it records no planting date. Nobody has dated this willow oak. If you know when Harvard Street was planted, tell us.