UPDATE 3/4/16 12 p.m.: University officials have canceled plans to plant the descendant oak trees in Samford Park this weekend, March 4-5, according to a University press release.
“The heavy rains that moved through the Auburn area Thursday evening saturated the ground where the trees are located,” said Ben Burmester, Auburn University campus planner. “We will not be able to get our equipment in to remove the trees and relocate them to campus this weekend.”
The University is working to reschedule and will send out a notification once the new planting dates are confirmed, according to the release.
The University will complete the redevelopment project at Samford Park on Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, when it plants descendants of the original Auburn Oaks along the park’s new walkway, according to a University press release.
“This final milestone in the Samford Park redevelopment project marks the return of an Auburn Family tradition,” said Dan King, associate vice president of Facilities Management, in the release. “We are pleased to return the spirit of the beloved Auburn Oaks to the park and look forward to watching them grow and create a legacy of their own.”
The University will finish the final phase of the Samford Park redevelopment project by planting 10 descendant oaks along a section of the walkway reaching from Langdon Hall to Toomer’s Corner, according to the release.
“After completion of the walkway, we received feedback from the Auburn Family about how much they enjoy the additional green space,” said Ben Burmester, campus planner, in the release. “Taking their feedback into consideration, we chose the 10 most robust trees to plant at this time to give the other descendants more time to grow. We worked closely with our Facilities Management Landscape Services Division and the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences to choose descendant oaks of similar size to line the walkway.”
The descendent oaks are approximately 15 years old and 15 feet tall. In 2001, Scott Enebak, a faculty member in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, initiated a program to ensure the Auburn Oaks’ legacy continues. Under his leadership, Forestry Club and Wildlife Society members cultivated acorns from the original trees and raised the descendants.
“I am pleased to see the descendants are returning to Samford Park where their parents stood for over 80 years,” Enebak said in the release. “As they grow, their branches will drape over the walkway creating a beautiful canopy for future generations of the Auburn Family to enjoy.”
During the two-day planting process, a portion of the sidewalk along College Street, from Langdon Hall to Toomer’s Corner, will be closed to pedestrians, according to the release. The trees will be planted one at a time, and as each is planted, the portion of the walkway nearest that tree will be closed.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
