The Latest: Work underway to move massive Idaho sequoia

BOISE, Idaho – The Latest on the move of a giant sequoia tree in Idaho (all times local):

1:30 p.m.

Workers in Idaho are preparing to inflate rolling tubes beneath a massive sequoia that grew from a seed sent by naturalist John Muir.

The more than century-old tree is in the final throes Friday of a complex effort to uproot it from the path of a Boise hospital’s expansion and move it two blocks away to city property.

If all goes according to plan, it will arrive at its new home Sunday.

St. Luke’s Health System needs to make room for an expansion and is spending $300,000 to move the largest sequoia in the state rather than chopping it down and risking a public relations backlash.

Onlookers are watching the work, including two residents with fond memories of the sequoia.

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1:30 a.m.

Workers in Boise, Idaho, will attempt to move a massive sequoia tree that’s in the way of a downtown hospital’s expansion plans.

The 10-story tall tree was sent to Boise as a small seedling by natural John Muir more than 100 years ago. On Friday workers will begin moving it two blocks to a new location.

The plan is to lift the sequoia Friday afternoon onto inflatable, rolling tubes. The tree is set to start moving at midnight Saturday on the rolling tubes and arrive at its new home Sunday.

St. Luke’s Health System is spending $300,000 to move the largest sequoia in the state, rather than chopping it down and risking a public relations backlash.