Grounds Services workers removed a large oak tree, known as the Tappan Oak, from the west side of Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library for safety reasons after it was found to have a completely decayed trunk. Workers took down the tree Nov. 23 and 24.
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Read more about the Tappan Oak.
Grounds Services tree timmers remove the Tappan Oak limb by limb. 
Tree trimmer Lloyd Brown works from an elevated bucket. 
The Tappan Oak was removed for safety concerns after its trunk was found to be decayed. 
Tree trimmer Jeff Corwin handles a rope to remove a tree limb. 
Tree trimmers Charles Merkel and Jeff Corwin chip limbs from the Tappan Oak. 
Limbs from the Tappan Oak. 
Tree trimmer Charles Merkel hauls limbs that were trimmed during the Tappan Oak’s removal.
Roger Williams
In the past, such removals have been followed by a repurposing of the wood into various artifacts. I hope that the same process will be followed here.
Elizabeth James
As an alumna and employee of U-M, I am heartbroken by this news. This tree was a landmark for generations who passed by as they crossed the central campus.
It seems a shame that this occurred during Native American heritage month with no remark or ceremony, as the first people who walked this land venerated Mother Earth and all her living children.
May this beautiful tree be remembered by the memories that it created and the photographs that captured its presence.
Daniel Erickson
I agree with Roger Williams, it would be good to make some better use of this material, rather than paying to turn it into mulch. I own a portable sawmill and I had contacted the UM forester about repurposing other dying campus trees into lumber for campus projects, but he never responded.