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The Box family pays a visit to the historic Council Tree in Delta, Colo. The family was en route to Grand Junction, Colo. in 1985 with Edward Box III, during his freshman year of college. Pictured left to right: Matthew Box, Betty Box, Eddie Box Jr., Karen Washington, Melanie Seibel, Eddie Box Sr., and James Box Jr.
The Ute Council Tree will be cut to a tall stump on Friday, August 25, 2017. The current state of the Council Tree, the aging cottonwood tree is said to be over 215 years old.
The Ute Council Tree photographed in 1997, the large cottonwood tree still mostly intact at that time.
The Council Tree has great importance within the Ute culture, as the tree was known to have significance when it was part of a cottonwood grove prior to the eviction of the Utes from the area in 1881.
Photo Credit: Courtesy Edward Box III
Photo Credit: Courtesy Wilma Erven/City of Delta
Photo Credit: Courtesy Wilma Erven/City of Delta
Photo Credit: Courtesy Thomas Carr
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Ute Council Tree to be cut down Friday — Delta, Colo.

Wednesday - August 23, 2017 by Staff report | The Southern Ute Drum

The Delta County Historical Society, owner of the 215+ year old Ute Council Tree in Delta, Colorado, has made plans to have the ailing Ute Council Tree cut down to a level about ten to twelve feet above the ground, with further plans to create a memorial with the surviving trunk of the tree. With the loss of the last limb on the tree trunk on August 1, 2017, tree experts, following an up-close examination, have determined that the tree is now at great risk of a catastrophic failure since the crown of the tree contains the only remaining branches. A good wind could stress the trunk, accelerating any failure possibility.

The Delta County Historical Society has stated that the risk is now unacceptable, and for the safety of nearby property as well as the risk to people in the vicinity, the majority of the tree must be removed.

The Council Tree has great importance within the Ute culture, as the tree was known to have significance when it was part of a cottonwood grove prior to the eviction of the Utes from the area in 1881.

The Ute Council Tree will be cut to a tall stump on Friday, August 25, 2017. Beginning in the early morning, tree removal experts, in partnership with Doughty Steel and Machine, Inc., will begin the process, expected to take seven to eight hours to complete. Doughty Steel will be assembling their big crane at the tree site and it will be used to lower cut branches in the tree crown to the ground, where they will be loaded onto a truck for removal to a city storage facility.

While the public is invited to view the process, portions of G96 Lane and 1550 Road will be closed to traffic, for safety reasons. Visitors to the site should expect a short walk to reach the area.

Many Ute Indians are expected to attend the event, traveling from their tribal reservations for a final look at this great historic tree. Ute prayers and blessings are expected to take place before any limbs are cut from the tree.

About 9:30 a.m., a short dedication program will take place as close as possible to the tree without interfering with the overall operation. Several local officials will speak as well as Ute representatives.

The Delta County Historical Society will accept any donations to help defray the cost of cutting down the tree. Donations can be mailed to the Delta County Museum, 251 Meeker Street, Delta, CO 81416, or can be brought to the tree site on Friday.

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