The locally famous leaning tree that spawned generations of memories will come down, county officials said Monday.
The Johnson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved removing the tree that, for more than 150 years, stood at a 30-degree angle about 3 miles south of Franklin in the 3500 block of Airport Road.
Two weeks ago, the three-member board tabled discussion of the tree after receiving conflicting analyses from master arborists who examined it.
On Friday, the county received the results of another, more in-depth study that the two arborists—Michael G. Webster, of SavATree, and Lindsey Purcell, of Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources—collaborated on.
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The second study revealed that the tree is at “extreme risk” of falling within a year. The arborists found that a large dead limb in the canopy is particularly at risk, but recommended the entire tree be removed, as interior rot is also above acceptable levels.
The 70-inch diameter tree has an average of five inches in diameter of sound interior wood on the east and west sides of the tree, according to the report. But a tree of this size should have 20 inches of sound wood to be deemed low risk for failure, the report said.
Neither of the studies cost the county as the arborists donated their time, said Luke Mastin, the county’s highway director.
Mastin on Monday recommended starting the process of removing the tree, which will cost about $6,800.
"The actual quote and price may vary due to the close proximity of the overhead electric line and the possible need to cut the tree into sections that would allow the wood to be used in potential projects to memorialize the tree," Mastin said. "We’ll have a better idea of the cost as we work through these items in the near future."
Due to its elevated risk of falling, the commissioners OK’d the removal, but encouraged Mastin to look at ways to preserve part of the tree for the public.
Several preservation ideas were discussed, including Commissioner Ron West’s idea of cutting off the canopy and leaving the stump as a memorial. Mastin said he would consult the landowner and arborists about that idea.
Other ideas included erecting a historical marker sign at the site, using pieces of the wood in a museum exhibit, or making items such coasters or sculptures with the remaining non-rotted wood so members of the public could have a little piece of the tree.
The commissioners will decide how the tree is preserved.
Gary Long, a farmer who is in the process of buying the property the tree is on, shared his thoughts with the commissioners.
Long has farmed the field next to the tree for 40 years and grew up just around the corner. Like so many in Johnson County, he has many memories of the tree, he said, but memories should not usurp public safety.
“To those who have memories, I say ‘cherish them,’ but consider things. What if it caused injury to you and your family?” Long said.
There is no set timeline for removing the tree as the situation is further complicated by power lines that run near it, Mastin said. The highway department will need to work with the local utility to temporarily de-energize the lines during removal, a process that typically takes several weeks when there is not a pandemic to consider, he said.
In the meantime, Airport Road will remain closed, according to a news release from the county highway department. The road has been closed to through traffic between State Road 252 and County Road 300 South since June 4. Commuters should take County Road 300 South, Nineveh Road (County Road 100 East), and State Road 252, the news release said.
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Species: Sycamore
Age: 150-180 years old
Height: 70 feet
Width: 70 inches
Angle: 30 degrees
Cavity: 24X16 inches long on the east side; the tree may be hollow in the middle.
Scars: 12-foot-long crack on the east side of the tree, bark scarring 12 feet up from the base due to collisions with high-profile vehicles.
Source: Master arborist study, which can be viewed in full at: http://co.johnson.in.us/kiosk/.
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