PHOTO GALLERY: Large swamp white oak cut down

City forester Dave Dittmer uses a STIHL 660 chainsaw to cut down a swamp white oak on Wednesday in Lions-Stephens Park . A large branch from the 50-foot tree recently broke off and fell to the ground, prompting Columbia Parks and Recreation to order its removal.
  |  Benjamin Hoste

Nick Harper, with the Columbia Parks and Recreation forestry division, holds an ax and wedges after a large swamp white oak tree in Lions-Stephens park was cut down Wednesday.   |  Benjamin Hoste

Nick Harper, with the Columbia Parks and Recreation forestry division, peers inside the swamp white oak tree in Lions-Stephens park to investigate the extent of its decay after it was cut down Wednesday. Due to additional stress caused by the summer's drought and heat, there has been an increase in tree cutting in Columbia in recent weeks, Harper said.   |  Benjamin Hoste

The larva of a black beetle that feeds on decayed wood rests within the rotted-out stump of a swamp white oak tree shortly after it was cut down by Columbia Parks and Recreation on Wednesday. Although the majority of the trunk was decayed, a few larger limbs in good condition might be saved to be used later in some form of a memorial to the tree, according to the city foresters on the scene.   |  Benjamin Hoste

Park neighbor Emma Rohwer and her 4-month-old son, Nicolas Rohwer, examine the rotted-out stump in Lions-Stephens Park on Wednesday. Neighbors liked the tree and were sad to see it cut down. "(It's) pretty sad. If it's a hazard I can understand that; I was hoping it would stay there for a while," Bob Pund said. Pund's home sits across the street from where the tree once stood.   |  Benjamin Hoste