University of Rochester

A Tribute to the Tree of Life

  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Al Clark, professor of mechanical engineering

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Eugene Kowaluk, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

    The Tree of Life just a couple of days after falling.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Adam Fenster, University Communications

    The Tree of Life on July 6, 2010 after splitting in half two days earlier.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Adam Fenster, University Communications

    The Tree of Life on July 6, 2010 after splitting in half two days earlier.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Adam Fenster, University Communications

    The Tree of Life on July 6, 2010 after splitting in half two days earlier.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Adam Fenster, University Communications

    The Tree of Life on July 6, 2010 after splitting in half two days earlier.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Margaret Casazza, PhD student, genetics

    We took this picture in Spring ’03 to give to a friend who was transferring away from UR. We’ll miss the Tree!
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from the Rare Books and Special Collections Library

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from the Rare Books and Special Collections Library

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    Jessie Giambra '11

    Tree of Life, March 2010.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Rochester Review

    Members of the Grassroots student organization gather around the Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Danielle Wedde ’10

    The Tree in its prime.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Genevieve Chawluk ’04

    My favorite GVP tree. Taken during Stonehurst Regatta 2006.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Liz Riedman ’13

    Tree of Life, we’ll miss you.
  • image

    from Rebecca Slater ’11

    Friends gather at the Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Al Clark, professor of mechanical engineering

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Al Clark, professor of mechanical engineering

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Al Clark, professor of mechanical engineering

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Al Clark, professor of mechanical engineering

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Jim Seeger, University Facilities

    Bliss.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Keith Thompson, alumnus

    Genesee Valley Park oak.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Liesel Schwarz ’11

    Reaching for the sky.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Phyllis Mangefrida, University Communications

    Tree of Life.
  • Tree of Life in Genesee Valley Park

    from Sarah Higley, Department of English

    Sarah's husband Chris Hickey points out the tree's inner sapling - or inner sprite? - with its two tarred-over cuttings.

The "Tree of Life," a beautiful 150-year-old oak and University landmark in Genesee Valley Park, fell during the July Fourth holiday weekend.

We searched our archives and asked you to send your photographic memories of the tree, and you responded. Thanks for helping us honor "our tree."

Visit the tree's Facebook memorial page