On Arbor Day, DTE employees, community partners and local leaders gathered at DTE’s Newport Service Center to mark the occasion and rededicate one of Michigan’s oldest trees, a burr oak that stood on the property long before the service center was built.
The burr oak is estimated to be more than 250 years old and predates Michigan statehood. Local historians and environmental groups have documented the tree, which is designated a Michigan sesquicentennial tree.
More than 50 people attended, including representatives of the Monroe Chapter Arbor Day Committee, ReLeaf Michigan, the Daughters of the American Revolution (Michigan chapter), the Monroe County Historical Society and the State Horticultural Organization, which verified the tree’s historic status. Also onsite was acting Township Supervisor Sheila Bussell, Rep. Jamie Thompson and Senator Joe Bellino.
DTE’s Newport Service Center hosted the ceremony and installed a permanent plaque recognizing the burr oak’s historical and ecological significance. The event included an unveiling of the plaque and remarks about the tree’s legacy, followed by refreshments.
ReLeaf Michigan provided small potted arborvitae for guest speakers while attendees spent time discussing the role trees play in communities across the state.
Afterward, Thompson posted about the event on social media, calling it “a beautiful ceremony” and writing:
“This old tree reminds me that progress does not move quickly. True strength takes time. Deep roots matter and stewardship should be passed down for generations.”
Arbor Day highlights the role trees play in improving air quality, supporting wildlife habitat and linking communities to the past. The burr oak at the Newport Service Center remains a long-standing landmark.
“This tree connects us to generations past and reminds us why protecting our natural resources matters,” said Molly Luempert-Coy, regional manager at DTE. “Honoring it on Arbor Day underscores the responsibility to preserve Michigan’s landscapes for generations to come.”