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After Months of Debate, 'Bert the Bluff Oak' Falls To Make Room for Building

After months of debate, a historic bluff oak tree on the University of Florida’s campus was torn down Saturday.

Bert, a 200-year-old bluff oak tree, has been in jeopardy for two years after plans were created by Grimshaw Architects to renovate and expand the University of Florida’s Nuclear Sciences Building.

When students and staff heard about the plans, they took to social media to challenge the original designs. They christened the tree with the moniker "Bert."

Ali is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.