How did this centuries-old tree come under threat after enduring so much, for so long?
Aside from the turnover of land when Native American tribes owned the land now called Michigan, the recent history begins 20+ years ago, when this Chinquapin Oak stood in an amusement park (Riverland Amusement Park) that has existed under various names since 1935.
The timeline keeps growing, but pales in comparison to the living history within this old tree. Check back for updates.
Timeline Last Updated on:
Location:
43934 Van Dyke Avenue
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Parcel 10-03-151-009
10.198 acres adjacent to the Clinton River
Six Regulated Wetland Areas
Macomb County, Michigan
Treaty of Detroit
Anishinaabe tribes land cessions of Southeast Michigan in olive color
Michigan Statehood
Michigan becomes the 26th state of the Union
1951 USGS Aerial Photo
Early aerial photographs show older trees on site
Riverland Amusement Park sells land for anticipated Assisted Living Facility
Operating since 1935 under various names, where the Chinquapin Oak overlooked people riding ferris wheels to small roller coasters. Story in Apr 2004 Detroit Free Press by Tammy Stables Battaglia (archive)
The assisted living facility never happened.
Sterling Heights Corridor Improvement Authority eyes site for tax revenue and development
– discussions about building in the floodplain, property tax revenue potentials
Mayor Notte Election Sign with trees
Google Street View shows the Sterling Oak and friends with the late Mayor Notte’s election sign.
Interest by CCF to EGLE
CCF = Chaldean Community Foundation
Excerpt : “The project impacts wetlands, thus it must be demonstrated that it is in the public interest, that the activity is primarily dependent on being located in the wetland, that a feasible and prudent alternative does not exist (including no-build), and the activity is otherwise lawful.“
NVDA Report
Community feedback: “Please DO NOT EVER develop this area of trees, one of the few dense wooded areas left in the corridor.”
(link)
Many options proposed — including maintaining as a park
Funding Our Future forums
The City of Sterling Heights holds community forums asking for resident input into proposed ARPA projects, which includes display of “LAND ACQUISTION FOR RIVERLAND PARK IMPROVEMENTS“
(archive)
City Council approves ARPA proposals
“LAND ACQUISTION FOR RIVERLAND PARK IMPROVEMENTS” allocated $1,000,000 ARPA funds
City purchases Riverland Property with Federal ARPA funds
Excerpt: “The subject property also preserves a significant amount
of open green space with immediate access to recreational opportunities presented by the Clinton River. Having the ability to control the future development and use of this strategic parcel through acquisition is critically important.”
RFP Sell Riverland Park
City purchasing department initiates RFP to sell Riverland Park parcel.
ASTI Environmental Wetlands Identification Study
ASTI report: “One watercourse and six wetlands likely regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) were found on the Subject Property“
Proposal to sell land to CCF (Round 1) for development
Presentation to Sterling Heights City Council on development proposal. No representation of the large floodplain cut area shown in “development footprint” overview. No representation of wetlands identified from Feb 2024 report.
Numerous residents speak against project.
Vote: Tied 3-3 due to Yanez absent.
3 dissenting votes are due to upcoming Nov 2024 Pathways to Play and Preservation millage which in part – preserves green space. Minutes: “Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski commented that they have to allow the land to be what it is, and they have to allow flood plain to be flood plain. … there may be a better location.”
(Council Minutes)
Proposal to sell land to CCF (Round 2)
City civil engineering consultant HRC brought in to explain impacts of building in floodplain. “No Adverse Impact” presented on slide.
Many residents speak out against project again, including one reference of the large Chinquapin Oak tree. (video link)
Vote: 5-2 (Sierawski switches vote from July, Yanez votes in favor) – motion passes
“Done deal!” celebrated on social media
Luke Bonner, City Development Consultant: thanking many for “leadership in the face of intense public criticism over adding affordable housing in the North Van Dyke Redevelopment District.” [now edited from original statement]
Sharkey Haddad, Chaldean Chamber of Commerce: “Thank you Mayor Taylor for your leadership and for not caving to the handfuls of NIMBYs who are misinformed about attainable housing and it’s crucial need and benefits to the city of Sterling Heights…”
Tommy Haji, Lead Project CCF: “Building more attainable housing for ALL and preserving nature at the Chaldean Community Foundation.” (archive)
EGLE Letter of Concerns
- “The need for a more thorough analysis of alternative methods or locations in the permit application; specifically, please justify the use of this specific parcel for this project.“
- “EGLE cannot accept compensating cut below the ordinary high watermark of the Clinton River due to the close proximity of the River.“
Michigan Big Tree Registry certifiers visit Chinquapin Oak on property
Independent Certifiers visit to confirm species, take measurements.
Chinquapin Oak certified as the 7th largest known in Michigan
Specs:
girth = 168 inches (14 ft)
height = 88 feet
crown spread = 84.5
C&G Newspapers | Sterling Sentry Story published
Centuries-old tree endangered by new development in Sterling Heights
Print Edition published Jan 22, 2025 and mailed to all Sterling Heights residents.
Story by Andy Kozlowski
Sterling Oak Launched
Site launched to provide helpful information and advocacy on behalf of this centuries-old Chinquapin Oak.
C&G Publishes Residents’ Reaction Piece
Residents speak out! Journalist Andy Kozlowski highlights residents’ concerns. Many city elders speak for one of Mother Nature’s elders, puzzling statements from city officials, first appearing online Feb 14, 2025.
Petition Started by concerned resident.
📰 Residents protest plan to destroy tree older than United States
City Attempts to Question Species Identification
City Management proposes the tree is a Sawtooth Oak, not a Chinkapin. The claim is refuted after additional reviews of photo, video, and physical evidence.
EGLE indicates Pre-Application Meetings completed
Michigan EGLE: “As of today, EGLE does not have an application for this project. We have not received any final plans to review.”
Concerns expressed in 9/18/2024 letter remain. Reference: HQ5-PBHJ-B81X1
1) Need a more thorough analysis of alternative locations
2) Wetland mitigation plans and prudent alternatives to avoid wetland impacts
3) Cannot accept compensating cut below ordinary high water mark of Clinton River
Resident Petition Update: 1733 Supporters!
64% in Sterling Heights! Many comments.
Local TV News WXYZ: Sterling Heights residents hope to save 250-year-old tree from being cut down
Sterling Heights repeats false claim “This development includes 10.5 acres, of which eight acres will be preserved as open space. The two acres being developed will be along the roadway, which is mostly void of trees.“
Sterling Heights City Council Meeting
Residents speak out about tree and misinformation concerns about statements made by the City to media and the public about preservation. Problematic responses from City Manager, council members.
C&G Newspapers article on adding and preserving canopy
City begins street tree planting program supported by tax millage. Comments from more residents on canopy loss and Hazel Park arborist on the value of existing hub trees.
Web: As City Plants Trees, Residents Push to Preserve Canopy
Residents speak again at Sterling Heights City Council Meeting – Save the Chinquapin Oak
Comments at 2:06:45 (link)
-Concerns for wetlands, Science of trees, natural history
-correcting previous misleading council statements on lifespan of a chinquapin oak
-proposed saving acorns will require long-term commitments
Community Visioning Event
The City of Sterling Heights holds a Community Visioning for Climate and Health Adaptation event in partnership with technical assistance from Michigan State University and MDHHS, focusing on the North Van Dyke Avenue corridor. Concerns with floodplain development and protecting trees and last remaining green space in North Van Dyke district expressed by residents. Riverland Park area excluded from study! WHY??!
Petition crosses 3000 signatures!
61% from 3 local zip codes!
Housing vs. “a tree”
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor presents a narrative during City Council meeting that this is a choice between housing or a tree. The commentary relies on some inaccuracies and problematic reasoning. We suggest this approach relies on a false choice fallacy as no consideration for alternative locations was made.
Read More
Deadlines Extended
Chaldean Community Foundation granted extensions by Sterling Heights Office of Planning on deadlines for final site plan approvals. No permit applications filed to date with Michigan EGLE.
EGLE Update
“There are no updates on this parcel. No new submissions have been received.”
EGLE Update
Noted no applications for permit received since Sept 2024 letter from EGLE.
Sierra Club “Deeply Troubled” Letter of Inquiry
The Southeast Michigan Executive Committee of the Sierra Club issues a letter of concern and inquiry to the Sterling Heights City Council on the sale of public land to a private developer. (archive)
Development Updates to Council
City development consultant Luke Bonner provided a brief update to Sterling Heights City Council. Minimal questions from City Council. Residents request council to reconsider development. No EGLE application for permit to date.
(Minutes)
Concerned Resident Speaks at City Council again
From SH Council Minutes: “Carol Chi – Sterling Heights resident living on Moravian since 1981; expressed concern about the Sterling Oak and all of the other trees that will be cut down behind it; upset that the City encouraged everyone to vote for the Pathways to Play and Preservation millage, yet she commented that the City sold the largest green space it had remaining.”
No response from City Council.
EGLE Update
No approvals from EGLE as of Jun 4, 2026 or indication of activity in document logs.
Property remains under City of Sterling Heights ownership.
Petition 3636 Signatures
The petition continues growth over a year after it was initiated and has accumulated 3636 signatures as we approach the USA’s 250th birthday… one the Sterling Oak sees in it’s rear view mirror. 😊
Yanez Asks For Update
City Council Meeting June 16, 2026 TL;DR: Revised downsized plans expected from Chaldean Community Foundation (within est. 60 days?) Otherwise, nothing new; development of the site requires more fill dirt to satisfy EGLE requirements, issues known since 2017.
Planning Commission Updated Proposal
CCF brings revised proposal before the Sterling Heights Planning Commission. Suggests “protection” for the Sterling Oak but calls for risky intrusion into the critical root zone; it will extend cut areas into the floodway and remove more landmark trees than the original proposal. Multiple residents speak against the proposal. Planning Commission votes unanimously to approve.
Links: Minutes | Video
Board of Ordinance Appeals DENIES critical root zone variance request
G26-0211 Chaldean Community Foundation(City of Sterling Heights) – 43934 Vandyke
Requesting a variance for the size of the critical root zone.
After hearing statements from the developer, city arborist, city attorney, and residents, the Board unanimously votes to deny the requested intrusion into the city-ordinance-mandated tree protection zone.
Establish Public Hearing Date for New Proposal
Public hearing set for Wednesday, Nov 4, 2026 per Consent Agenda
-> Packet link
Petition Check-in
Petition reaches 3768 signatures and climbing! Percentage of local signatures rising to 65%!
C&G Sterling Sentry reports on revised development plans
By Gary Winkleman
Web Article
E-Edition Newspaper
Development / Land Clearing Begins – TBD
Change Log
- 2025-02-05: Initial Timeline
- 2025-02-14: C&G News story on resident reactions
- 2025-03-26: Status Updates, some cleanup
- 2025-04-18: Updates with new media stories, presentations
- 2025-05-30: Updates new media articles, citizen comments to city council
- 2025-06-10: Add additional ARPA background
- 2025-09-25: Updates with various tree and property events in last couple months
- 2025-11-21: Updates on activity over the past month
- 2025-11-30: Update for petition delivery, Sierra Club inquiry, update RFP milestone
- 2025-12-26: Added development update milestone
- 2026-02-12: Update historical and new milestones
- 2026-04-06: Add more contextual milestones
- 2026-06-10: Petition and EGLE updates
- 2026-06-22: June 16 City Council meeting discussion noted
- 2026-08-20: Planning Commission meeting noted
- 2026-09-16: Updated BOA meeting
- 2026-10-13: Update for Public Hearing date establishment on new proposal, petition update
- 2026-10-24: Add C&G reporting on new development links
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