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The Big Oak was a landmark which many alumni will remember. The cherry bark oak was 88 feet tall and was 20 feet one inch in circumference. The tree was cut down in September of 1983, but for 74 years, it was a part of UAM history.
President Frank Horsfall (1913-1934) tried to deter faculty and students from parking their horses and buggies under the tree by placing bee hives under it. At one point a student tied a mule under the tree, and returned to find the animal covered with bees. Both the student and the mule were stung while making their escape. President Horsfall placed a wire fence around the tree to keep such an incident from happening again. The Class of 1934 replaced the wire fence with a stone fence, as seen in the photo.
Students enjoyed sitting under the tree and sitting on the benches. Some couples planned their futures under the old oak. At one time, freshmen were required to pay tribute to the tree as they passed. Four students are pictured here taking their beanies off to the tree. The old oak was remembered for its large, bare limbs in winter, its dark green leaves in spring, and its gold and bronze leaves in fall.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission recognized the tree as the largest and oldest cherry bark oak in the state in 1979. The tree was estimated to be over 300 years old. This made it over 100 years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and over 200 years old when the university was founded.
In 1983, the tree was discovered to be diseased, and the decision was made to cut it down. Memorial services were held, and alumni and administrative staff shared memories of the tree. Some alumni returning to the campus still recall fond memories of the Big Oak.
Sources: “Memorial Services Held Friday for 300-year-old Campus Tree” in the September 14, 1983 Advance Monticellonian; “The Loss of an Old Friend” in the September 21, 1983 Advance Monticellonian; “A & M’s Traditions Reviewed” in the October 31, 1961 Weevil Outlet. Photos courtesy of : UAM Library, Special Collections, Photograph Collection, Campus Buildings and Grounds, File Folder Big Oak Tree.
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