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Aging Campus Trees to be Thinned
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An aged Monterey Cypress came uprooted during a January storm, crushing an SUV parked on the Lone Mountain entrance ramp. No one was injured. |
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As many trees on the University of San Francisco’s campus approach the end of their lifecycle (many are 70 years of age or older), the university is embarking on a plan to trim dozens and replace others that pose a serious safety hazard.
The plan to trim or remove the trees follows the recommendation of a certified, professional arborist, who has determined that many are aged, diseased or pest-infested, and that others suffer from weakened root systems and rotten branches or trunks.
Such factors played a role in several large branches splitting from their trunks and toppling to the ground, and at least two trees coming uprooted altogether during a Jan. 4 windstorm. The storm severely damaged 12 trees, requiring them to be cut down.
One tree, an aging Monterey Cypress, fell on a sport utility vehicle parked on the Lone Mountain entrance ramp, crushing it. The vehicle, owned by a USF staffer, was empty at the time.
“We love these old trees, and we wish they could stay,” said Gary McDonald, assistant vice president of public affairs. “But, this is a matter of public safety. We’re fortunate that no one was hurt or killed when the trees fell in January. We are not doing this to improve anyone’s view. We’re doing this to maintain a healthy urban forest.”
About 100 aging or diseased trees are to be cut down on USF’s 55-acre campus, said Mike London, assistant vice president of facilities management. Among those to be cut down are a number of large trees on Lone Mountain that, along with the majority of trees on the upper-campus, were planted in the 1930s, making them about 70 years old.
To maintain roughly the same number of trees on campus, USF has undertaken a reforestation plan to identify the best types of trees to be replanted, as well as where they should be planted. “It’s going to look different, but we want USF’s neighbors to know that there is an intelligent plan in place to reforest the areas that are affected,” London said.
Work on the trees is expected to begin around Aug. 13 and continue in phases through the fall. Many of the oldest and largest trees will be removed before fall classes begin, to reduce the noise and risk of injury during school.
- Originally posted Aug. 7, 2008 - 
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