Two pin oak trees between Columbia Hall and Friendly Hall were removed on Wednesday. The area has been blocked off since Tuesday.
The trees have been damaged from a grade change—flattening of the land—when University Street changed to the brick plaza that currently sits between 13th and University St, and from foot traffic since the landscaping, according to John Anthony, arborist for UO facility services.
“[The trees] have suffered from soil compaction from hundreds and thousands of footfalls,” Anthony said. “As a result, all the trees have been in decline.”
The project involves removing two pin oaks in that area per year. The last two will be removed next year, according to Anthony. Two northern red oaks will be planted in their place.
The area should be reopened on Thursday, according to UO Landscape Supervisor Phil Carroll.
Anthony said most of the wood will be recycled, but two 8-foot pieces will be given to the University of Oregon Clark Honors College for a building renovation.
Hennebery Eddy are in charged of the remodeling, according to Renee Dorjahn, director of finance and administration for the Robert D. Clark Honors College. Dorjahn said the architects don’t know what the reclaimed wood will be for specifically, but mentioned possibly conference room tables or benches.
The wood must first be sent to Urban Lumber in Springfield, Oregon to be cured and dried for about a year, according to Caitlyn Kari, director of communications for the Robert D. Clark Honors College. Renovations for the Honors College are set to be done December 2017.
“Using reclaimed materials as much as possible … is definitely a priority,” Kari said.