Branches from trees planted in the University of Idaho's Presidnetial Grove that were uprooted during a severe wind storm in December 2025. The storm uprooted or damaged multiple trees across the University of Idaho campus. One branch is from a Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (common name Port Orford cedar) planted by sitting President William H. Taft during his visit to the University of Idaho campus in 1911. The second branch is from a Picea pungens (common name blue spruce) planted by former President Theodore Roosevelt in 1911.
In April of 1911, former United States President Theodore Roosevelt visited the University of Idaho when he delivered a talk to a crowd of over 8,000. Prior to his speech, he planted a blue spruce on the lawn of the UI Administration building. Six months later, sitting President William H. Taft visited the UI campus and planted a Port Orford cedar to the grove.
On December 17th, 2025, a severe windstorm hit the Palouse region of the Idaho and Washington. Homes, vehicles, and countless trees were damaged, including the trees planted by Roosevelt and Taft. These pieces were saved by UI Facilities Landscaping staff along with pieces for other uses. These other uses include hopes of grafting scions from these two trees as well as other trees damaged during the storm and for University and student projects from various colleges.
Collection is open for research.
Materials were transferred to Special Collections by members of the University of Idaho Facilities Landscaping department.
"Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.