Chesterfield's 212-Year-Old Historic Tree Comes Down
TL;DR: Chesterfield County will remove the Nunnally Oak, a 212-year-old landmark tree at the Government Complex, and repurpose its wood into benches, commemorative items, and historical artifacts.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Government; Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Miller; General Services Director John Neal
- What: Removal and repurposing of the 212-year-old Nunnally Oak tree into benches, commemorative items, and artifacts
- When: Expected October or November 2026
- Where: Chesterfield Government Complex arboretum
The story
After more than two centuries anchoring the Chesterfield Government Complex's arboretum, the Nunnally Oak will be removed this fall. The 212-year-old tree, planted in 1814 by Lawson Nunnally, an assistant deputy clerk of the county court, has grown from a circumference of 11 feet, 11 inches in 1916 to 18 feet, 3 inches by 2023. But years of parasites and fungi have compromised the oak's structure, creating what Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Miller described as a danger to people and nearby buildings.
Rather than discard the wood, the county is transforming it into a legacy that will endure. A cross-section will be donated to the Chesterfield Historical Society with historical dates marked on its rings. The remaining wood will become commemorative items including desks, benches with plaques, and wooden "cookies" imprinted with the oak's image. To honor the tree's lineage, the county plans to replant three or four of the oak's saplings in the arboretum, ensuring future generations can grow up under the Nunnally Oak's descendants.
The removal is expected to occur in October or November 2026 and will require careful handling given the tree's massive size and its proximity to county buildings.
Key players
- Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Miller: County official overseeing the removal decision
- General Services Director John Neal: County official managing the tree removal and repurposing
- Chesterfield County Government: Owner of the tree and executor of the repurposing project
- Chesterfield Historical Society: Recipient of a cross-section of the tree with historical ring markings
Key dates
- 2026-10 to 2026-11: Nunnally Oak removal expected
Why it matters: The Nunnally Oak is a tangible connection to Chesterfield's past, and its removal marks the end of an era. By repurposing the wood rather than discarding it, county officials are ensuring the tree's legacy lives on through functional public pieces and historical artifacts that residents will encounter for decades to come.
Places
Development timeline
- 1814Nunnally Oak planted: Lawson Nunnally, assistant deputy clerk of court, plants the oak during the War of 1812 [source]
- 1916First measurement recorded: Oak measured at 11 feet, 11 inches in circumference [source]
- 2023Final measurement recorded: Oak measured at 18 feet, 3 inches in circumference before decline accelerates [source]
- 2026-10 to 2026-11Oak removal scheduled: Chesterfield County plans to remove the Nunnally Oak and repurpose its wood into benches, artifacts, and commemorative items [source]
Related links
Read the original at The Richmonder →
Sources
- At 212 years old, it's Chesterfield's most famous tree. But it's time to say goodbye.
- Chesterfield County Arboretum