A 300-year-old bur oak tree on the east side of Old Main that has stood as an icon of Eastern for decades is struggling to survive.

The whole eastern half of the tree is dead, said Eastern grounds Superintendent Justin Perry, and he said the situation creates unique challenges to the tree and campus.

Perry said a lightning strike to the tree about 10 years ago mostly likely caused damage to the tree’s root system.

The lightning created a split in the tree, but system damage did not begin to show until 2001 when the tree’s leaves began to brown.

Root stimulant was given to the tree in hopes that the damage could be limited or reversed, but the damage was done, Perry said.

With half of the tree dead, there are concerns that the tree might pose a risk to public safety, Perry said.

He said as the east side of the tree begins to decay, the branches of the tree might begin to break off.

To prevent possible risks to safety, branches less than 6 inches in diameter will be cut from both sides of the tree.

Perry explained that branches will be cut from both sides of the tree to maintain the tree’s balance and to limit stress on the trunk.

Also, the thinner branches are going to be cut because they are most likely to break off in a storm or under snow and ice.

Although every effort is being made to limit further damage to the tree and to ensure it can survive, Perry said it is uncertain how much longer the tree can live with how much stress it has been through.

To keep the tree’s genetic legacy going, Henry Owen, professor of biological science, is attempting to clone the tree with stems.

In 2011, Perry collected approximately 50 acorns from the tree, about 30 of which have sprouted.

Perry said plans for what to do with the saplings are still uncertain, but possibilities include selling them or planting them elsewhere on campus.

Tim Deters can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].