Hurricane Helene's aftereffect takes down 350-year-old Chinquapin oak tree

Central State University Extension staff and the entire CSU family — both near and far — have been mourning the sad demise recently of a 350-year-old Chinquapin oak tree that predated, by more than 200 years, the Historically Black University founded in 1887. The tree stood just outside the fence that protects the Central State University Seed to Bloom Botanical and Community Garden, just a few feet away from state Route 42 on the Wilberforce, Ohio, campus.

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Clare Thorn, Extension associate for Agriculture and Natural Resources who oversees the garden, declared after taking pictures of the fallen tree: "Sad news to share."

Thorn quickly sent an email to Crystal Duckett, Land-Grant Communications media specialist, asking: "Do we have any photos of the oak while it was standing proud?"

If you've driven by the garden on Ohio 42, you might have noticed the ancient oak.

Duckett responded to Thorn: "What a beautiful tree it was."

Former CSU President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond joined in mourning the oak on the CSU Extension Facebook page: "My heart is saddened by this loss of natural beauty. In its place, will be new beginnings and healings that only nature can provide."

How does Central State University immortalize the fallen oak tree? It's too early to say, but one of several ideas floating around for now would be to make garden benches from its logs, said Associate Extension Administrator Dr. Alcinda Folck. Planting a new tree in its place is also in the works, she added.

Meanwhile, Duckett concludes the tribute on Facebook thus:

"Thank you, dear Chinquapin Oak, for all the memories and the lessons you have imparted. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. With heartfelt gratitude."

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