The Orange County Arts Commission, in partnership with the Hillsborough Arts Council and the Town of Hillsborough, seek community assistance for the upcoming Calvin Street Tree Project. The project committee will oversee the use of the wood for an artist-created entranceway into River Park in Downtown Hillsborough, beginning next year.
The Southern Red Oak located at 408 Calvin Street fell during Hurricane Florence and was estimated to be approximately 250 years old. The tree was one of the first selected for the Hillsborough Treasure Tree program, which singled out the oak “for the grandeur of its large spreading limbs.” The tree’s trunk measured 27 feet in circumference and stood approximately 100 feet tall from its base. Sections of the main trunk weighed in excess of 6,000 pounds and, along with sections from parts well above the trunk, needed to be hoisted out by crane.
The wood is currently being stored on a neighboring private residence and needs to be moved as soon as possible to an indoor location for safekeeping and drying. The project committee is looking for individuals and businesses willing to help relocate the wood.
Needed services and equipment include:
- Portable saw mill (Wood-Mizer or equivalent) that can handle logs approximately 34” in diameter and up to 12’ in length.
- Vehicles or trailers to transport milled lumber to a storage location in Orange County.
- Storage space for lumber to air-dry in a covered location for possibly 9-18 months.
- Volunteers to assist throughout the process.
Interested individuals are asked to contact Neil Stutzer, board member of the Hillsborough Arts Council, at nstutzer@hillsboroughartscouncil.org for further details.
