Hillsborough Donating Wood from ‘Town Treasure’ Tree Downed During Hurricane Florence

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

‹

Hillsborough: Water is Safe, Parks Closed Following Hurricane Florence

The Town of Hillsborough is in clean-up mode after the last remnants of Hurricane Florence dropped massive amounts of rain on central North Carolina Monday. Portions of Hillsborough’s Riverwalk greenway along with parts of the Gold and Kings Highway parks were flooded by the Eno River on Monday. Town officials said in a release late […]

Orange County Opening Emergency Shelter After Flooding

Orange County has opened a shelter for residents displaced by the flooding that came Monday morning from the final remnants of Hurricane Florence. County emergency officials announced Monday afternoon that a shelter had been opened at the DSS Commons at 113 Mayo Street in Hillsborough. The shelter will be open for up to 72 hours […]

Power Restored in Hillsborough After 'Town Treasure' Tree Falls

Duke Energy restored power to Hillsborough late Friday night.**** Duke Energy is reporting more than 4,000 customers in Orange County are without power as of 10:15 a.m. Friday ahead of the full impact locally from Hurricane Florence. There was a cluster of nearly 1,000 customers without power early Friday morning, but that outage was […]

'Financial Disaster': Cancelled FEMA Program Leaves Hillsborough Pump Station Project $6 Million Short

Hillsborough is now scrambling for ways to move forward with relocating its River Pump Station, a critical water and sewer project.

Hillsborough: FEMA Funding Pulled, Sewage Spill, Climate Challenge Concludes

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, April 22. He discussed the recent loss of FEMA funding for a couple of crucial projects for the town of Hillsborough. He also discussed a recent sewage spill and the subsequent cleanup. He talked about the Hillsborough Climate Challenge, which wraps up today, including the likelihood that the challenge will be repeated next year, and more.

Hillsborough: Dog Costume Contest and Easter Egg Hunt, Climate Challenge, River Hazard Mitigation

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, April 8. He previewed a Hillsborough Police event coming up at Gold Park this weekend that will include an easter egg hunt and a dog costume contest. He also discussed several of the Hillsborough Climate Challenge Events coming up this week. He talked about a virtual public meeting on mitigating hazards in the Haw and Eno rivers, previewed the next board of commissioners meeting, and more.

Hillsborough: Climate Challenge Continues, 250th Celebration, Water Infrastructure

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, April 1. He discussed the ongoing Hillsborough Climate Challenge which continues through Earth Day on April 22. He discussed upcoming events in the Climate Challenge, and the broader intent of the program. He also updated a pump station replacement project, discussed the timeline for the town's participation in the America 250 Celebration coming up next year, and more.

STIHL Holds Open House, Celebration For New Orange County Distribution Center in Mebane

The power tool manufacturer STIHL welcomed corporate leaders, local government dignitaries and more to its open house celebration in Mebane.

Fight During Arrest Lands 3 Orange County Sheriff's Deputies in Hospital

Hillsborough resident Jorge Luis Lopez Duran faces three felony charges of assault on a law enforcement officer.

Hillsborough: Duane Hampton Day, Property Revaluation, Return of Climate Challenge

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, March 25, discussing town news and events. He talked about the proclamation of Duane Hampton Day on March 24. He also discussed a presentation on the upcoming Orange County property revaluation. He discussed the upcoming Hillsborough Climate Challenge returning to the community in April, and more.

›