The two oak trees (at right) at the Grove, shown during an Earth Week planting event in 2019, fell victim to the weather recently. Photo by Sarah Myers for Virginia Tech.
Two iconic oak trees located in the Grove on the Virginia Tech campus were claimed by severe weather recently.
A large white oak located in the island of the Grove front driveway was blown over by unusual easterly wind gusts. It hit a nearby pin oak tree, splitting the pin oak in half approximately 12-to-15 feet down the trunk, requiring its removal.
Under supervision of the university arborist, both damaged trees were removed. Upon inspection, the arborist determined that the white oak suffered previously existing structural issues and root loss that contributed to the tree’s failure.
A portion of wood from these trees may be used around the Grove and Duck Pond for the benefit of wildlife.
