Thursday, March 16
A new red oak was planted last week to replace a century-old red oak whose trunk stood tall and bare on the quad for several months.
An arborist who evaluated the historic oak after it lost a branch in a wind gust recommended taking it down. But it will get a new life—or rather, several new lives—in the forms of a wood sculpture, some benches, and probably a historic display, said Mark Feist, assistant director of physical plant.
An eight-foot piece of the base has been saved to be carved into an eagle sculpture, an idea proposed by students. The carving is expected to be completed on site during an event in July for grounds professionals.
Two pieces close to the top of the trunk have been sent to a mill to be transformed into natural benches for the amphitheater, the idea of an AU landscape architect. They should be installed by Campus Beautification Day next month.
And faculty recently proposed saving a cross-section of the trunk that shows the ring growth and using it for an outdoor display to mark events in AU’s history.
The new tree, estimated at 20 years old, was planted by a mechanical tree spade in a spot not far from the old tree. There are an estimated 2,400 trees on AU’s campus, which is a designated arboretum and public garden. —SA |
