Death Hooker Oak

photo of loggers alongside main trunk of hooker oak.

for 3 years after falling, tree lay on ground while city leaders struggled determine fate. in spring of 1980, city of chico commissioned cal oak lumber company remove , reclaim sound portions of tree @ cal oak s oroville hardwood plant. allowed retain of wood compensation. after milling oak, cal oak arranged lumber dried @ university of california s forest products laboratory.

cal oak set program using local artisans work training centers handicapped produce limited number of artistically designed items share of tree. many of these given various institutions, included royal botanical gardens in london, butte county historical society, bidwell mansion, sacramento valley museum, butte college, california state university, chico, , university of california @ berkeley. royal botanical gardens received acorns original tree in 1981 , planted them in gardens.

characteristics

personnel @ both cal oak , university of california berkeley forestry lab became intrigued lumber. wood turned out remarkable tree. in order support immense crown, tree grew abnormal portion of support wood on upper side of limbs , stems. type wood known tension wood , helped provide tree unbelievable high density: .88 specific gravity, 50% heavier surrounding oaks. other special characteristics, provided wood unique grain , character, , tree, apparently longevity.