Woodstock’s Hennen Conservation Area has come to be called “home of the Granny oak", in recognition of the tree’s multiple generations of progeny that are found all around her. At 49 inches in diameter, she is over 300 years old (born circa 1700).
Placed in the Hennen Conservation Area is one of Granny’s Grandchildren. After you find her cache, hike back east and follow the trail until you reach Granny.
The Granny Oak sits on the fence line between the park and a tree nursery to the north. This accident of birth location proved to be quite lucky for Granny, as she was spared the ax when most of the trees around her were cleared for farming in the 1800s.
The Hennen Conservation Area, 4622 Dean Street, Woodstock, is open to the public 365 days of the year from 8am to sunset. The park is owned by the City of Woodstock and managed by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County which also has its office in the farmhouse located on site.
There are 3 miles of trails winding through the park. The property includes a pond, wetland areas, small grove of pine trees and many acres of young hardwood trees that include a wide diversity of species native to the Midwest. Dogs are welcome provided they are on a leash.
Permission to place this cache was granted by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County