Large Branch Falls from Historic Oak in Windstorm; Arborist Says Failed Portion Had Been Identified for Load-Reduction Pruning

TUMWATER, Wash. — A large branch from the historic Davis Meeker oak broke today during a windstorm. An arborist familiar with the tree said wind gauges at the adjacent Olympia Regional Airport recorded gusts of 54 mph within the same hour as the failure. No one was injured, no vehicles were damaged, and the oak's main structure remained standing.

The failure occurred on the southwest portion of the tree, an area specifically addressed in the February 7, 2025 advanced tree risk assessment prepared for the City of Tumwater by Todd Prager & Associates.

On page 20, the report recommends reduction pruning to reduce branch-failure risk and states: “For the southwest stem, emphasize length reduction on branches with poor attachments.”

Jesse Brighten, a Board-Certified Master Arborist in Island County, said the connection between today's failure and the recommended management is significant.

“The portion of the tree that failed was specified for ‘load reduction pruning’ to mitigate failures such as this,” Brighten said. “Rick Till’s recommendations in the February 2025 Prager arborist report detailed pruning methods intended to increase structural stability at large unions such as the one that broke during today’s unusually high winds.” Brighten noted that the oak was still in leaf, increasing the wind load on its crown.

“Any tree can fail when loading exceeds wood strength,” he said. “Hopefully the recommended pruning can now be done in a timely manner because nearby portions of the tree have suddenly been exposed to new wind loads.”

Brighten also noted that injuries to ancient trees can create wildlife habitat, including cavities like the one used by kestrels in the Davis Meeker oak. “We need to learn how to manage large, imposing trees more holistically and allow for their ecological benefits by changing management expectations and approaches,” he said.

Prager's 2025 assessment recommended retaining the approximately 400-year-old oak while actively managing identified risks through reduction pruning, supplemental support where appropriate, root-zone management and continued monitoring.

Although the litigation has concluded, Save the Davis Meeker Garry Oak continues to seek tax-deductible contributions to help retire the significant legal expenses incurred in protecting this historic landmark. Click here to donate.

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Timeline:

·      May 16, 2023: Branch drops onto dirt next to the base of the tree.

·      March 21, 2024: Mayor asks city historic commission to de-list the tree from the historic register.

·      April 18, 2024: After discussing it over the course of two meetings, Historic Commission declines mayor’s request to remove tree from city’s historic register.

·      May 21, 2024: City Attorney calls the situation an “emergency” and tells city council that therefore Tumwater’s Historic Preservation Ordinance does not require Historic Preservation Commission approval before the tree may be removed.

·      May 23, 2024 (Thursday): Mayor sends email announcing that a memorial for the tree will be held on May 30, 2024. Anonymous person informs member of Save the Davis Meeker Garry Oak that the mayor has scheduled removal of the tree for Tuesday morning after the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.

·      May 24, 2024 (Friday): Judge Sharonda Amamilo grants emergency temporary restraining order, preventing the scheduled removal of the tree at the end of that weekend.

·      May 31, 2024: Judge Anne Egeler dissolves the temporary restraining order.

·      June 4, 2024: Public testimony and city council persuade Mayor Sullivan to obtain a second arborist opinion before removing the tree.

·      July 2024: Washington Court of Appeals stays proceedings while the parties seek a supersedeas stay in superior court.

·      September 2024: Judge Egeler sets a $10,000 supersedeas bond after rejecting the mayor’s request for a $10 million bond and approximately $58,000 in attorney fees; Krag Unsoeld posts the bond, preserving the stay during the appeal.

·      February 7, 2025: Todd Prager & Associates completes a Level 3 Advanced Tree Risk Assessment commissioned by the City. After climbing inspection, sonic tomography at eight locations, root-crown excavation and other analysis, the assessment found all but one assessed tree part to be low risk and one moderate risk over the three-year assessment period. It identified retention and active management as a reasonably prudent alternative to removal, including “reduction pruning to reduce risk of branch failure.” For the southwest stem, the report specifically directed: “emphasize length reduction on branches with poor attachments.”

·      July 2025: Washington Court of Appeals holds that Tumwater’s Historic Preservation Ordinance requires Historic Preservation Commission approval before the mayor may remove the tree.

·      December 2025: Judge Egeler enters a permanent injunction implementing the Court of Appeals’ decision.

·      July 16, 2026: Judge Egeler enters an agreed order declaring that approval from the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is also required under RCW 27.53.060.

·      September 25, 2026: A large branch from the southwest portion of the oak failed during a windstorm while the tree was still in leaf. No injuries or vehicle damage occurred. Arborist Jesse Brighten said airport wind gauges recorded gusts of 54 mph within the same hour as the failure and that the failed portion was among those identified for load-reduction pruning in the February 2025 assessment.