The McFooken's orginally settled in this area after spending some time in the young city of Toronto after they had fled the blight ravaged potatoe fields of Ireland in the early 1800's. They decided to come to settle in Upper Canada and had to wait for their land grant.
The McFookens were a friendly family who loved their land and all that grew and thrived on it. This maple was a gift to their neighbours to ensure many years of comfortable shade would be provided after a hard day in the fields or a leisurely afternoon of fishing off the banks of the Great Lake of Erie.
Now it is but a meadow with a large maple. The McFooken's would have loved to see the generations that have enjoyed this large harty maple that they have provided. If it wasn't for this maple, the early settlers wouldn't have been able to make syrup for their pancakes.
Once you get close to ground zero, you will understand why this is such a special tree. You will feel the energy it gives as you wrap your arms around it. As you hug it. As you peer up into its branches. You will feel alive and know that this is one of McFooken's great trees.