The pruning and removal of trees around campus will begin this Wednesday, Jan. 31, and continue for the next couple of weeks, depending on weather. The tree work comes as a result of an assessment completed by Facilities Planning and Management with the expertise of Mindy Charron, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with Perficut Companies.
A detailed visual inspection of the trees and surrounding conditions identified several trees with health concerns or hazardous issues that are a priority for pruning or removal. Pruning improves the aesthetics, safety, and overall health of the tree’s canopy. Tree removals are necessary for a number of reasons: Structural problems, disease or insect infestation, storm damage, overall health condition, and the proximity of the tree to walkways or buildings, which could pose a safety concern for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Trees that will be pruned or removed are listed below and shown on the attached map:
| Tree Number | Tree Name | Location | Work |
| 1 | Quaking Aspen | East of intramural fields | Removal—dead tree |
| 2 | White Oak | South of College Ave and NE of Tennis Center | Removal—dead tree |
| 3 | Elm | Behind ROTC House | Removal—dead tree |
| 4 | White Oak | East of Lot 2 | Removal—dead tree |
| 5 | White Oak | SW of Bell Center | Removal—decline with crown dieback |
| 6 | Red Oak | North of Opperman Law Library | Removal—internal trunk decay |
| 7 | Red Oak | NE of Opperman Law Library | Removal—internal trunk decay |
| 8 | Maple | West of Lot 1 along 25th St. | Removal—trunk and root decay |
| 9 | Bur Oak | South of Dial Center | Pruning—crown clean major dead wood |
| 10 | Bur Oak | West of 25th St. sign | Removal—decline and dieback |
| 11 | Honey Locust | Southwestern tree in GK courtyard | Removal—decay in trunk |
| 12 | Honey Locust | East of Ross Hall | Removal—crown clean major dead wood |
Signage and detours around work areas will be in place during these operations. Due to the defects in the trunks or the particular species of trees, the wood from the removals are not worth keeping for other projects around campus. Facilities Planning and Management will be planting trees on campus this spring to continue improving the aesthetics of the campus and increase tree canopy. An Arbor Day event is being planned for April; stay tuned to OnCampus for more information.
—Kevin Moran, Facilities Planning and Management