A Farewell to the Gundersen Shumard Oak: Honoring a Campus Landmark

A Farewell to the Gundersen Shumard Oak: Honoring a Campus Landmark

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Media Contact: Shannon Rigsby | Associate Director of Public Information | 405-744-9081 | [email protected]

On Saturday, Aug. 23, Facilities Management made the difficult decision to remove the large Shumard Oak that stood in front of Gundersen Hall, one of the most well-known trees in a highly trafficked tailgating area on campus.

For more than a century, the oak had provided shade, beauty and a sense of place for countless Cowboys, making its removal a moment of loss for the OSU community.

"We hypothesize this oak was planted shortly after Gundersen was built in 1908, based off a core sample obtained from a dendrologist prior to its removal," said John Lee, director of landscape services. "That would make it about 115 years old."

Despite its age, FM had not given up on saving it. Lee explained that the Landscape Services team first noticed a significant lean in July 2025 and quickly sought outside expertise.

"We reached out to many state resources to observe, consult and develop a monitoring plan with campus and community safety at the forefront," he said. "We even had a team of four certified arborists evaluate the oak."

Ultimately, however, safety had to take priority.

"Safety is always first, and occasionally safety is a catalyst for prompt decision making," Lee said. "Trees determine the landscape and use of outdoor spaces. They are living architecture, and we manage them in often critical detail."

Although the tree could not be saved, its story is not ending. Landscape Services plans to reclaim and mill some of the oak's wood for use in future projects. Replanting is already in the works, with a goal of restoring the space later this fall.

As a Tree Campus USA, OSU takes seriously its responsibility to thoughtfully preserve its landscape. The national designation recognizes universities that meet five sustainability standards, from tree care planning to community engagement. From planting to removal, each decision prioritizes safety and the lasting health of OSU's urban forest.

While the Gundersen Shumard Oak will no longer stand, its legacy lives on, in the shade it gave, the traditions it witnessed, and the community it helped root on campus.

Story By: Summer Wilson | [email protected]