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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... SALEM Signature white oak at school in Salem deemed hazardous Comment By Natalie Pate Statesman Journal MailTribune.com By Natalie Pate Statesman Journal Posted Jun. 11, 2015 at 3:26 PM By Natalie Pate Statesman Journal Posted Jun. 11, 2015 at 3:26 PM » Social News SALEM — Workers are cutting down a signature white oak tree on the site of the former Oregon School for the Blind. "It's a very sad day here at the hospital," said Sherryll Johnson Hoar, a spokeswoman for Salem Health, parent company of Salem Hospital and owner of the blind school property. An eight-foot split was discovered Monday. Exactly when the split occurred and its cause remained unknown, but experts, including the city of Salem's urban forester, determined the tree to be hazardous. The oak is about 100 feet tall and could split and fall unpredictably at any time, putting anyone within reach of its branches at risk, Hoar said. That includes construction workers, who are busy building a Salem Hospital rehabilitation facility on the property. The facility will include a new outpatient rehabilitation center and adaptive playground. Work began on the project in January. Since, the hospital has been met with opposition to the 50 trees they've had to remove from the site. This tree, however, was not supposed to come down. Hospital officials had hoped to make the oak a key feature of the facility grounds; architects had incorporated the 200-year-old tree into the design and location of the rehab center. "We are deeply disappointed. It is one of the most beautiful trees on site," Hoar said. "But with the instability, we had to clear the tree, otherwise it just wouldn't be safe." Elwood's Tree Service of Salem is doing the tree removal. Preservable wood from the tree will be sent to Zena Forest Products, which specializes in refurbishing white oak wood for sustainable flooring and lumber. Kerry Carpenter, the hospital's facilities manager, said they are looking for another tree to place in the same location. By Natalie Pate Statesman Journal MailTribune.com By Natalie Pate Statesman Journal Posted Jun. 11, 2015 at 3:26 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501