Tree of Five Seasons transplanted to new site in Cedar Rapids

UPDATE Dec. 19, 2024: Rob Davis, Flood Control System Manager for the city of Cedar Rapids, noted that the “transplanting” of the Tree of Five Seasons is one piece of a larger contract for the flood control system project. The specific move of the tree is a $200,000 line item, with 65 percent of the cost, or $130,000, paid for by federal funding from the Army Corps of Engineers, and the other 35 percent, or $70,000, paid for locally, according to Davis.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Tree of Five Seasons monument in downtown Cedar Rapids has been “transplanted” to make way for the city’s flood control system.

A giant crane lifted the 60-foot-tall stainless steel structure the morning of Dec. 18, 2024, to a new site, 80 feet to the east from its previous location along the Cedar River.

WRH Inc., the construction company overseeing the move, relocated the monument closer to First Street NE, making it a key part of a new, elevated park, according to the city of Cedar Rapids.

The city noted that in 1993, Bill Munsell and Gary Anderson raised more than $800,000 in private and in-kind donations to build a 60-foot tall version of the city’s trademarked Tree of Five Seasons logo. The stainless steel monument was erected on April 3, 1996.

According to Rob Merritt, communications specialist for the city, the top of the Coonrod crane’s boom used in the move is 120 feet, at 73.6 degrees.

The Tree of Five Seasons weighs around 110,000 pounds, Merritt said.

Nearby flood control system work underway includes flood gates at E and F Avenues NE under the interstate; a pump station at A Avenue NE; and a permanent, full-height flood wall from First Avenue to Interstate 380.

Future work will include an elevated park with views of the river, landscaping and a bike trail.

Visit the city website to learn more about the Flood Control System and the history of the Five Seasons slogan.

See more from the move, below. (photos/Cindy Hadish Homegrown Iowan)