Hillsborough has found a way to continue the legacy of a “town treasure” tree that fell during Hurricane Florence.

Tree downed during Hurricane Florence. Photo via Town of Hillsborough.

The Southern red oak fell across Calvin Street on September 14, knocking out power to thousands of residents. The tree was believed to be over 200 years old with its trunk measuring 27 feet in circumference.

Wood from the downed tree is now being donated to the Hillsborough Arts Council through the non-profit’s ArtCycle program, which “collects and distributes donations of new and used supplies for use in education.”

Although final distribution details have not been established, “the wood will be distributed at no cost to student artists and artists who teach woodworking in schools and studios, as well as emerging and established artists in Hillsborough.”

“The loss of this beautiful tree has been sad and shocking to the community,” Hillsborough Public Space manager Stephanie Trueblood said in a release. “Instead of simply removing the tree and discarding the wood, the town wanted to find a way to distribute the useable material to students and artists in hopes that the life of this significant tree can live on in projects and artworks. We are grateful that the Hillsborough Arts Council has the ArtCycle program for this purpose and are excited to see what becomes of the donation.”

While the town said it received “a number of inquiries for the wood,” officials statutes required the wood be auctioned off or donated to a government agency or non-profit.

Photo via Town of Hillsborough

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