On Earth Day, April 22, a sapling from the historic Tappan Oak was planted near the Alumni Center on Central Campus. This sapling continues the legacy of the original tree, which stood for over 300 years near the Hatcher Graduate Library before being removed in 2021 due to decay.
The soil at the original Tappan Oak site was unsuitable for the sapling because of a persistent fungus. The U-M Custodial & Grounds team, including Rob Doletzky, landscape and grounds manager, and Mike Rutkofske, campus forester, selected a new location and ideal planting time to ensure the sapling’s health.
“Earth Day made sense for a number of reasons,” Rutkofske shared. “It’s a meaningful day for the university’s sustainability efforts, and spring is ideal for planting oak trees.”
The sapling’s journey began over a decade ago when Chayce Griffith, a 2016 College of Engineering graduate, collected acorns from the original tree during his sophomore year. Though unaware of its full historical significance, Griffith wanted to cultivate a personal link to the university’s heritage.
Griffith, now pursuing a doctorate in horticulture at Michigan State University, nurtured the acorns in foam cups in his parents’ garage, simulating winter dormancy. After planting, two saplings survived, now standing 6 feet tall.
“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit,” Griffith reflected. He expressed pride in contributing to the university’s legacy through this sapling.
The sapling gained renewed significance when Griffith learned of the Tappan Oak’s removal in 2021. He contacted U-M officials, including Rutkofske, who welcomed the opportunity to plant it on campus.
“We wouldn’t be here today without Chayce’s horticultural curiosity,” Rutkofske said. “I still remember the moment I picked up the phone at my desk and spoke with Chayce for the first time. And now, here we are, planting this tree together.”
Approximately 30 attendees, including campus sustainability staff and Griffith’s family, participated in the April 22 planting ceremony. Kim Kiernan, co-interim associate vice president for facilities and operations, emphasized the planting’s symbolic value for sustainability and legacy.
This endeavor aligns with U-M’s Resilient Grounds initiative, part of its broader sustainability goals, focusing on adaptive landscaping and soil health. The Tappan Oak sapling stands as a symbol of the university’s past and its commitment to sustainability.
“Honestly, it’s exciting to have a piece of me on campus,” Griffith said. “Having the sapling here feels like my own contribution to its history, and it’s special to know my son, who just turned 1 the day before the planting, will one day see it as part of our family legacy.”
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