Known as the “Great White Oak,” this landmark tree stands majestically in front of the Royal Ontario Museum, where it was already established when Canada’s pre-eminent museum opened in 1914. Amazingly, construction of the Yonge-University subway tunnels 50 years later managed to dodge its roots. Throughout ROM’s many expansions and renovations since opening in 1914, Museum staff have ensured the protection of the White Oak and its roots. Most recently, this has included the construction of the Michael-Lee-Chin Crystal, the restoration of the Queen’s Park entrance, and the current transformative OpenROM project.
Through it all, the tree – now in the later stages of its expected lifespan – remains healthy and a landmark along the Queen’s Park facade of the Museum.
ROM Oak: 2024
