July 16, 2025
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Man on a mission: Local resident logging data on notable Trees of DeKalb for decades

Michael Kirk of DeKalb received a PRIDE Award from the City of DeKalb earlier this year “for his unwavering dedication to and love of trees.” Kirk has been cataloging the trees of DeKalb for more than 20 years and began the Trees of DeKalb project, www.tpingel.org/treesofdekalb. Kirk stands holding the award next a bur oak with a circumference of 16 feet that is approximately 384 years old and likely the oldest tree in DeKalb. (Katrina J)

Michael Kirk of DeKalb received a PRIDE Award from the City of DeKalb earlier this year “for his unwavering dedication to and love of trees.” Kirk has been cataloging the trees of DeKalb for more than 20 years and began the Trees of DeKalb project, www.tpingel.org/treesofdekalb. Kirk stands holding the award next a bur oak with a circumference of 16 feet that is approximately 384 years old and likely the oldest tree in DeKalb. (Katrina J)

Michael Kirk of DeKalb received a PRIDE Award from the City of DeKalb earlier this year “for his unwavering dedication to and love of trees.” Kirk has been cataloging the trees of DeKalb for more than 20 years and began the Trees of DeKalb project, www.tpingel.org/treesofdekalb. Kirk stands holding the award next a bur oak with a circumference of 16 feet that is approximately 384 years old and likely the oldest tree in DeKalb. (Katrina J)

A screenshot of the Trees of DeKalb interactive web map at www.tpingel.org/treesofdekalb shows the location of the interesting and unusual trees of the Ellwood neighborhood in DeKalb. Visitors to the website can contribute new photos, descriptions or tree measurements. The map is interactive and easy to use on smartphones. (Photo provided)

Master Gardener, horticulturalist and conservationist Michael Kirk of DeKalb (right) measures the circumference of a tree with Thomas Pingel, a geographic location science associate professor at Virginia Tech, formerly of Northern Illinois University. (Photo provided)

Master Gardener, horticulturalist and conservationist Michael Kirk of DeKalb (left) measures the circumference of a tree with Thomas Pingel, a geographic location science associate professor at Virginia Tech, formerly of Northern Illinois University. (Photo provided)

Many ash trees in DeKalb, such as the ones pictured, have succumbed to the emerald ash borer. DeKalb County is losing thousands of native ash trees due to emerald ash borers, and other large native trees are reaching their senescence and not being replaced. (Katrina J)