photo by: Baker University Wetlands

The stump of a tree that was planted to honor a Baker University faculty member is pictured at the Baker University Wetlands in June 2023.

A tree planted to honor a Baker University faculty member was cut down and a commemorative plaque nearby was taken from the Baker University Wetlands, according to a social media post from the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center late last month.

The tree, a swamp white oak, was planted two years ago to commemorate a Baker University faculty member’s retirement after 30 years with the university, and a plaque was installed nearby. But in June, staff at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center noticed the tree and plaque were missing, according to the post on June 28.

“Over the years, this oak would have been home to many animals in the wetlands and provided any visitor a nice shady spot to sit. But no more. This vandal has limited this tree in its greatness and disrespected a much-deserved honor for this retired Baker faculty member,” the post said.

The center plans to plant a new tree to replace the one that has been cut down and install a new plaque. Wetlands staff asks anyone who might know about the vandalism to call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 785-843-0250.