Temple Square is another step closer to reopening — and this time, some of its oldest residents are coming back with it. After years away from the landscape they've shaped for generations, three mature honeysuckle trees have been carefully transplanted back to their homes around the Salt Lake Temple. Removed early in the renovation process, each tree was preserved and protected while the grounds underwent significant construction and seismic upgrades.
Some trees on Temple Square aren't just landscaping. They're witnesses. And getting them back exactly where they belong takes more than a shovel and good intentions.
Among the trees returning are three mature honeysuckles with a story that predates nearly everything around them. Originally planted at a private residence in The Avenues, these trees were relocated to Temple Square in the 1920s, where they became part of the site's established beauty and character for generations. By the time the renovation began, they had stood on those grounds for roughly a century — long enough to become part of the experience for millions of visitors.
To ensure their preservation during construction, the trees were temporarily relocated to the LDS Conference Center, where they were carefully maintained until the grounds were ready to receive them again. This interim move required thoughtful planning and ongoing care to protect the health and longevity of each tree throughout the project — watering, monitoring, and stabilizing root systems that had been undisturbed for decades.
It's the kind of work most people never see. That's by design. The best preservation work is invisible.
Bringing the trees back required precision at every step. Using an 80-ton Liebherr LTM 1080-4.1, our crews carefully lifted each tree — the heaviest weighing up to 20,000 pounds — and loaded them onto our transport trailers for the move back to Temple Square. Once on site, each tree was set into place with the same care that defined its departure, ensuring the root systems remained intact and stable.
Seamless coordination between lifting, transport, and placement preserved not only the physical integrity of the trees, but their historical placement within the landscape. Where they stood for a hundred years is where they stand again.
This process reflects a deep commitment to honoring the past while rebuilding for the future. These trees are more than part of the landscape — they are living pieces of history that continue to shape the experience of all who visit Temple Square.
We're truly honored to be involved in the various stages of this project, and it's especially rewarding to see these historic elements restored as each step brings Temple Square closer to its full reopening.
Some projects are about moving what's new. This one was about protecting what's old — and making sure it was there when everyone came back.
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