Asumag 941 Michigantree
Asumag 941 Michigantree
Asumag 941 Michigantree
Asumag 941 Michigantree
Asumag 941 Michigantree

University of Michigan to spend $400K to relocate oak tree

Aug. 18, 2014
The process uses oil well drilling equipment and air bladders to pull the tree from a hole that has already been dug around it.

The University of Michigan is moving a 350-ton burr oak to make room for a new building at the Ross School of Business. The relocation, which will cost $400,000, has drawn criticism from within the school, according to Fox News.

Arborists will employ a newly patented technique called Arborlift to hoist the 44-foot-in-diameter rootball. The process uses oil well drilling equipment and air bladders to pull the tree from a hole that has already been dug around it. The tree will then be hauled one city block and replanted. The arborists estimate that the tree's chances of survival are 70-80 percent.

Some students are complaining that relocating the tree is a waste of money, particularly at a time when the university is increasing in-state tuition by 1.6 percent and out-of-state tuition by 3.4 percent.

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...