Oak tree on West Ely Road in Hannibal chosen for monthly honor

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Tree of the Month for May is an oak tree owned by Mike and Ileen Levy on their property at 4106 W. Ely Road. Ileen Levy said they bought the home because of the tree, which they believe to be more than 150 years old.

Tree Board guidelines say for a tree to be selected, it must be residential and visible from the street, distinctive with good form, well-cared for and properly pruned with no dead limbs.

The Tree Board established a Tree of the Month Award to celebrate Hannibal’s beautiful urban forest and its stewards. The Tree Board’s mission is to encourage and inspire by example proper planting and tree care in Hannibal. In recognition of its commitment to urban and community forestry programs, Hannibal has earned a Tree City USA award from the Tree City USA program for 24 consecutive years.

Nominations may be made to the Tree Board by contacting Tree Board president Kristy Trevathan at Kristy.trevathan@prestigerealty.net.