The Magnolia Oak will be replaced with a live oak of the same size in early July, according to a press release issued by Auburn University.
Thoms Trees and Plants will replace the oak and according to Tim Thoms, contractor in charge of relocating the oaks, told the University if an oak died from transplanting it would be replaced from the company's pre-dug stock.
"Utilizing a nursery raised and pre-dug tree provides more certainty that the tree will survive," said Gary Keever, professor of horticulture and Facilities Management landscape consultant. "The replacement tree, which was dug this past winter, continues to maintain a canopy similar to the College Street tree. This shows the tree has weathered the initial digging well and provides additional assurance it will continue to grow when relocated to Auburn.
Ben Burmester, Auburn University campus planner, said the University purchased a third tree as a replacement in case there were any problems during the planting of the two original oaks in February.
The third tree was planted at the Facilities Management complex, according to Burmester.
However, the University decided it would be best to use the stock tree provided by the contractor instead of using the replacement Facilities tree, according to the release.
"Transplanting a tree is stressful," Keever said. "The Facilities tree was planted in February and moving it again so soon would add additional stress that we don't want to put on the tree and risk its survival."
The Facilities tree will be used for any other future problems, according to the release.
The release also said the City of Auburn and its contractor are working with University officials for the intersection redevelopment project to coordinate removal and replacement of the Magnolia Oak. It is not expected to affect the City's project or downtown traffic.
Burmester said the University is considering transplanting the current Magnolia Oak to another on campus location to give it another opportunity to survive.
The Oak is still alive, but is only surviving on stored carbohydrates from the roots and is not producing any new growth, according to Steven Johnson, Auburn University Facilities Management landscape superintendent.
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