Sorin Oak

MUNDAY LIBRARY / ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / DIGITAL EXHIBITS / CAMPUS / SORIN OAK

The Sorin Oak is the largest oak tree in Austin. It is named for Edward Sorin, the university's founder, who is said to have stood beneath it when he made the decision to found a school on the site. The tree is 250-300 years old. It has survived numerous disasters, including the fire of 1903 and tornado of 1922 (both of which destroyed and damaged campus buildings), the ever-looming threat of Oak Wilt (a fungal disease which can be fatal to trees), and the deep freeze of 2021.