When the oak tree planted by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the US embassy was uprooted in a storm in 2015, it left more than a hole in the verdant lawn.
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Staff and visitors to the embassy had lost what the tree had become, a symbol of Mrs Roosevelt's enduring legacy.
But on Friday, the embassy was presented with two tables, with another on the way, built from the timber of the tree and designed by Canberra craftsman Rolf Barfoed.
The tree, affectionately named Eleanor, was planted by Mrs Roosevelt in 1943 as she toured Australia and the Pacific during the depths of World War II.
Chargé d’Affairs at the US Embassy James Carouso said Mrs Roosevelt had been a tireless force for positive change in the world.
"Eleanor Roosevelt’s journey to Australia and the South Pacific during the darkest days of World War II showcased her incredible tenacity and leadership," Mr Carouso said.
"Eleanor inspired hope throughout the region.
"She even kicked off the landscaping here at the embassy by planting ‘the Eleanor Tree’."
Other trees have been planted at the embassy by dignitaries and heads of state, including Australia's first female governor-general Quentin Bryce in 2013, but none were so revered as Eleanor.
US embassy projects coordinator Brendan McCormick said the difficult conditions at the embassy might have led to the tree's downfall.
"Our compound here is on the top of a hill, so they actually had to blast a hole in the rock to plant the tree," Mr McCormick said.
"When it fell down it had a very small root ball, so it was probably only a matter of time until it did fall.
"When it did fall over, the immediate thought was to try and save as many acorns from it, but unfortunately at that stage of its seasonal development we could salvage very few."
However staff at the embassy had been saving acorns for years and "daughters of Eleanor" had been planted around Australia, including at the Islamic Centre in Canberra.
After consulting with a timber expert, the tree was cut into as large pieces as possible - the biggest being a four tonne piece of wood, Mr McCormick said.
With about 10 tonnes of useable timber, it was set aside to dry, which took about two years.
Then the embassy reached out to Mr Barfoed to design the tables.
After creating the three tables, Mr McCormick said there wouldn't be much timber left but what was left would be used to create small pieces to be used as official gifts.
"It was a sad day when it happened, but I’m very excited to see the finished result of Rolf’s labours," Mr McCormick said.
While Mr Barfoed generally designs more contemporary pieces, he had to learn about a whole new style to educate his designs to meet the embassy's hopes for pieces that fit the existing Williamsburg style.
After completing the designs Mr Barfoed collaborated with another Canberra craftsman, Douglas Keith, who completed most of the construction of the tables.
Mr Barfoed said it was a privilege to complete the project.
"I did think how cool it was to think [Mrs Roosevelt] had planted this tree," he said.
Two of the tables will be housed in the embassy's chancery while the third will hold the guest book in the ambassdor's residence.
On Wednesday, the embassy will award the inaugural US Mission Award for Leadership Excellence which is named in Eleanor Roosevelt's honour.
