A Symbol of the Community
Conserving our living history
For 200 years or more, a majestic bur oak and its companions grew on a site that eventually became home to the Ross School of Business. But when the school took on a new construction project in 2014, concerns arose about the future of one of the remaining legacy trees. The 65-foot tree was directly in the path of the new building. The Ross community felt that destroying the tree was inconsistent with our belief in positive business—that business can be a force for good.
A community's stewardship
Instead, we came up with a solution that allowed us to preserve our living history by giving the tree a new home nearby, with more room to grow and better exposure to sunlight. Thanks to the efforts of the entire University of Michigan community, the tree was moved about 100 yards to the west as part of the donor-funded construction project, to its new location here on the Ross front lawn.
Activating a unique solution
Texas-based specialists Environmental Design oversaw the five-month moving process.
- First, the soil outside the tree's root ball was excavated.
- Then, a platform made of metal pipes was placed under the root ball, which was carefully wrapped.
- When moving time arrived, massive air bladders were inflated underneath the tree to raise it up enough for
wheeled, self-propelled carts to be slid under the root ball.
- After a slow roll along the Monroe Mall, the tree reached its new home on Nov. 4, 2014.
- Special follow-up care is taking place for several years following the move.
Watch a video on the tree move:
http://bit.ly/1Qis48d
The bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is native to southern Michigan. The species is known for its large size, deeply furrowed bark, and distinctive fringed acorns. The acorns were a food source for some Native Americans and are eaten by a variety of birds and mammals.
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