In the pioneer era, there was a singular giant elm that grew near what is now the city of Lone Tree. It served as a prairie landmark on a slight hill south of where the town sits now. Local legend has it that the tree was so large, buffalo grazed under its branches.

That tree is long gone, succumbed to Dutch Elm disease in the 1960s. Others have been planted in its place and have also not survived, whether due to winds, weather, disease or human intervention, no one knows.

But thanks to Bob and Judy Viner and their family, a new elm tree has been planted on the spot where Lone Tree’s eponymous tree once stood. About 20 members of the family gathered on Wednesday, April 27 to witness the planting of the new tree, which they purchased at Maple Ave in Kalona.

“Lone Tree was named after the only tree between the Cedar River and the Iowa River at one time,” Viner said. “That tree is gone, so we’re replacing it with a new elm tree. After all, it is the name of our town. I think there should be a tree here.”

The planting was done ahead of Lone Tree’s sesquicentennial, which will be celebrated during the Fall Festival held at the end og August to celebrate the town’s 150th year.

“It’s quite an accomplishment, to be around this long,” Viner said. “Not every town can make it. We deserve a big celebration.”

Viner said he remembers the town’s centennial celebration in 1972, when many of the men in town grew long beards — he won the Abraham Lincoln beard contest.

There will be a dedication for the new elm tree during the Fall Festival.

Four generations of Bob Viner’s family was at the tree planting — several generations of men were working together to dig the hole and maneuver the sapling. Even the youngest members of the family helped refill the dirt and water the new tree.

“I love being able to do this with my family. It really does mean a lot to me,” Viner said. “We started this, me and my eldest son, and others, cut down all the brush last fall. We’ve been thinking about this project since last summer.”

Viner worked with the property owner, Linda Barton, who he said was “tickled to death” that someone wanted to replant a tree in the historic spot.

Viner has lived in Lone Tree since 2001 and said one of his favorite things about the town is the Lone Tree Community School District, where his children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren have attended school.

“There’s a lot to love about Lone Tree,” Viner said. “Our family is just so happy to do what we can to help celebrate this town and its history.”