Growing Wolf Trees
- Jen McMillin
- Feb 4
- 5 min read
Wolf Trees
One of the few bright spots of social media — yes, even inside the noisy machine — is that every once in a while, something stops me in my tracks and teaches me a new way to see the world.
That happened a couple of weeks ago while I was wandering through YouTube. A forester named Ethan Tapper introduced me to a concept I somehow already knew… but had never been given a name for.
Wolf trees.
Once you learn what a wolf tree is, you start seeing them everywhere.
A wolf tree is usually older than anything around it. Wider. Stronger. Its branches stretch outward instead of racing upward, because it grew in the open, without competition for sunlight. Long ago, when forests were cleared for farming or pasture, these trees were often spared. They were useful — offering shade to livestock, shelter from wind, a landmark in an otherwise changing landscape.
They are living remnants of the world that came before.
The first wolf tree I remember stands — or at least I hope it still stands — in Carlinville, Illinois. An enormous oak that seemed ancient even when I was small. There is another at Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park in Decatur — a basswood that may very well have witnessed Thomas Lincoln and young Abe survive the famous “Big Snow” of 1830–31.
Imagine what those trees have endured.
Storm after storm. Bitter winters. Summers of drought. Lightning. Axes. The slow reshaping of the land by human hands.
And yet — they remain.
Because they grew alone, wolf trees had to become strong. No neighboring trunks to buffer the wind. No forest canopy to soften the blows. Just deep roots and resilient wood.
Only the most persistent trees earn the title.
But here is the part that moved me most:
A wolf tree is not just a survivor.Over time, it becomes a protector.
Its hollow spaces shelter animals.Its massive canopy shields young saplings.Its fallen leaves enrich the soil so that a new generation can rise.
What once stood alone eventually helps rebuild the forest.
And lately, I have been wondering if we are living in a wolf-tree moment.
These are changing times. Fast times. Times that test our footing and sometimes rattle our sense of direction. Institutions shift. Communities stretch. The future asks more of us than we feel prepared to give.
In seasons like this, it helps to look for the wolf trees among us.
They are the steady people.
The ones who do not panic when the winds pick up. The ones who widen their branches instead of retreating inward.The ones who create shade — emotional, civic, moral — so others can grow.
Maybe it is a teacher who refuses to give up on struggling students.
Maybe it is a neighbor who organizes when others withdraw.
Maybe it is someone in your family who has weathered enough storms to remind you that hard seasons do pass.
And maybe — whether you realize it yet or not — there are places where you are becoming a wolf tree too.
Strength is rarely loud. Courage is often quiet .Bravery frequently looks like simple endurance.
The oak in Carlinville no longer stands at the edge of a prairie. Today it is surrounded by homes and sidewalks — a neighborhood gathered where open land once stretched.
Its role has changed.
It may not rebuild a forest anymore, but it still offers something essential: presence, memory, shelter, continuity.
Before it falls someday — as all living things eventually do — it will have spent decades protecting a community.
There is wisdom in that.
We do not have to stand alone forever.We do not have to be unbreakable.
We just have to grow strong enough that others can lean on us… and generous enough to let them.
So this week, I invite you to notice the wolf trees in your own life.
Learn from them.Thank them.Grow toward becoming one.
Because forests are not rebuilt all at once.
They return slowly — tree by tree — rooted in resilience, reaching stubbornly toward the light.
And the beautiful truth is this:
The very forces that test us… are often the ones that grow our deepest roots.
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Here's your Sunshine Strategies Radio News for the week of February 4, 2026, tailored for families across Macon, Piatt, DeWitt, Logan, McLean, and Christian Counties.
☀️ Sunrise Brief: A Community's Resilience
In Cooksville, McLean County, the cherished Longbranch Again bar and restaurant suffered significant damage from a fire early Saturday morning. Thanks to the swift response of local fire departments, no injuries were reported. The community's efforts to support the rebuilding process exemplify the strength and unity of small-town Illinois. (https://www.25newsnow.com)
🗳️ Civic Simplified: Early Voting and Local Governance
Early Voting in McLean County
Early voting has commenced in McLean County. Residents are encouraged to participate in the democratic process by casting their votes ahead of the official election day. For more information on polling locations and schedules, visit the McLean County Clerk's website. (WGlt)
DeWitt County Zoning Board Meeting
The DeWitt County Zoning Board of Appeals convened on February 2 to discuss updates to battery storage ordinances, aligning with recent state legislation. These discussions are crucial for the county's approach to renewable energy infrastructure. (Macon Reporter)
🏡 Community Spotlight: Addressing Child Care Challenges
A recent report by the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council and YWCA McLean County highlights a pressing child care crisis. The study reveals that child care costs consume a significant portion of household incomes, leading to workforce shortages and impacting family planning decisions. Community leaders are calling for substantial public and private investments to address this issue. (WGlt)
🌱 Small Action of the Week: Supporting Local Agriculture
Christian County is set to auction over 600 acres of farmland on February 9. This event presents an opportunity to support local agriculture and preserve the county's rich farming heritage. Interested parties can participate in the live, online-only auction conducted by Sullivan Auctioneers. (Successful Farming)
🌤️ Weather Outlook
Expect a typical winter week with chilly temperatures and occasional flurries. Temperatures will gradually rise towards the weekend, offering a brief respite from the cold. Stay updated with local forecasts to plan your activities accordingly.
📅 Upcoming Events
February 4: Public forum on proposed data center in Logan County at Lincoln Banquet Center, 6 p.m. (Illinois Times)
February 9: Christian County farmland auction conducted online by Sullivan Auctioneers. (Successful Farming)
Stay informed and engaged with your community. Your participation makes a difference!
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