Creating a New Chapter for a Majestic Old Oak from Salem and the Deumling Family’s Historic Connection

Professor David Craig and Ernesto Toskovic with the oak at the intersection of Oak St. and High St. in Salem, Oregon. Middle: The crew working on removing the oak. Right: The base of the oak revealed a great amount of decay. Photos by David Craig.

It is hard to tell exactly when this old Oregon white oak sprouted at the top of the present-day intersection of Oak Street and High Street in Salem. We also don’t know how old it was wen Ben Deumling’s great-great-great uncle, Joseph Showalter Smith, decided to preserve it and build his house next to it in 1859, the year Oregon officially became a state. With those family ties, one starts to suspect that a love for oaks runs deep in the Deumling family’s DNA.

This fall a series of events brought Ben and his family back into the life of this very tree. Over the years, this oak witnessed great change as the Willamette Valley transformed from sprawling oak savannas into the present day city of Salem. It grew into a magnificent tree, cherished by both the historic Gaiety Hill Community and Salem residents.  

But this fall a notice was posted on the tree stating that due to its deteriorating condition, the tree was scheduled to be removed in October. Ernesto Toskovic, who now lives in the historic home next to the tree, along with his family and the community, hoped it could still be saved. Local neighbor and behavioral ecologist Professor David Craig, who has had a long-standing interest in the ecology of the valley’s oaks, had been collecting neighbors’ stories and worked with Avery Hadley to produce a video about their connection to the trees in Gaiety Hill. Craig, along with Toskovic and the community hoped that the city could be persuaded to reconsider the tree’s removal.

Milan Davis, the Urban Forester and Parks Operations Supervisor with the City of Salem agreed to reassess the tree’s condition further before continuing. Sadly, it was determined that the tree had experienced substantial decay at its base, presenting a public safety risk, and needed to be removed.

But Professor Craig was not ready to let the tree’s story end there. He proposed the idea of salvaging the wood for furniture, craft projects, and even dendrochronological study as part of the Oak Salvage Project. When Andrea Foust, a neighbor who had recently started working at Zena Forest Products, heard about the project, she immediately thought of Ben. She asked if he had ever salvaged old oaks from residential properties. Ben explained the challenges—metal and ceramic insulators embedded in the trees often damage saw blades and leave stains or marks on the wood.

This is just one example from Ben’s library of the hidden things that can be lurking in old trees from urban areas. Historically various phone wires, lines, nails, wire fencing, and more, were attached to trees that served as makeshift poles and fence posts. Over time the trees often grew around and engulfed whatever was attached. When these reach the sawmill, they can become very problematic.

However, when he learned the tree was on the property where his great-great-great uncle had built his house, he knew he wanted to help. Ben reflects, “This tree has been an important part of many people’s lives, including my family’s. It had a good life, and although it needed to come down, we’re grateful to be a part of the next chapter for this tree. Given my family’s connection, it seems especially fitting to help continue its legacy.”

Davis agreed to the salvage plan, and arrangements were made to have the tree delivered to the Zena Forest mill, where Ben greeted it upon its arrival on November 22. During the next phase, the tree will be milled into lumber and undergo a slow, careful drying process to prevent the boards from cracking. Toskovic plans to use some of the wood to have a table crafted that will become a permanent feature of the house, capturing both the beauty and memory of this oak, which greeted many visitors over generations as they made their way up the path to the front door.

Ben Deumling, Ernesto Toskovic, Professor David Craig, and Andrea Foust with the historic tree.

In addition, this February, plans are in place for the city, neighbors, and Ben’s family to unite in planting a new sapling at the oak’s former site—ensuring that, just as the old oak once did, a new generation of Oregon white oak will continue to grace Gaiety Hill for years to come.