The Argonaut

Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Minh Vu The fallen oak tree lays on the ground waiting to be taken away.

Media Credit: Minh Vu The oak tree leaning against the Ralston Mansion

No one expected the storms of January 2010 to be so terrible as to leave NDNU with casualties. True, so far, no people have been hurt, but the trees did suffer. Because of these arboreal accidents, however, 43 trees are now scheduled to be taken down, before they come down of their own accord.

The incident began with the large oak that once stood between Cuvilly Hall and Ralston Mansion, which was laid low by the elements, falling into the side of Ralston Jan. 20. It was an event that literally shook Ralston to its core, according to Richard Rossi, whose third-floor office was closer to the point of impact.

"We thought it was thunder," said Admissions Councilor Andrew Haesloop, who works on the opposite end of Ralston. In falling, the tree damaged several parts of Ralston, such as the exterior gutters, skylights and the framework of the store room, and crushed part of the mail room wall, though the room itself was not exposed to the elements.

The other result of the tree's falling was that it exposed the inside of the oak's trunk, which revealed an advanced fungal disease that had taken over the whole tree. According to an employee of the Arborwell Tree Service, "It had to come down." Interestingly, an Arborwell representative said they had been to campus six months before with that same news, recommending that NDNU remove the sickened tree. The remaining oak next to Cuvilly is also diseased and is marked for removal.

Ironically, President Dr. Judith Greig says that she only found out that the tree needed to come down the day beforeMother Nature knocked it down. She says she was not made aware of any recommen- dation spanning back a period of six months. The plan, said Greig, was to announce the tree's removal at the Commu- nity Forum Thursday, Jan. 28.

In addition, Greig also said that NDNU has a contract with Arborwell to remove 43 other trees which are "in imminent danger of falling on a building or Laxague Drive."The project will cost NDNU $100,000 out of a budget that is already composed of money saved from cutbacks, not new revenue, which leaves NDNU's wallet stretched thin.

Removal began shortly af- ter the first Cuvilly Hall oak fell, when inspectors discovered other trees that had begun tofall near several New Hall West dorms and the Early Learning Center. The buildings, accord- ing to Mefford, were evacuated and the threats of tumbling timber were removed.

Other trees that will be taken out are a pine next to Tabbard, more than nine eucalyptus trees near the Early Learning Center, which is estimated to be closed for the rest of the week, and several other eucalyptus trees hanging over Taube Hall, which reopened the morning of Jan. 27, Laxague Drive, which will be closed until further notice, and the athletic field, which was not closed, among many others.

Many of these trees are similarly infected with a fungal disease. Passersby can tell with eucalyptus trees especially, since they develop orange discoloration on the leaves, according to Mefford.

Students, staff, and faculty have expressed their regret and disappointment that so many trees must go, especially the grand oak, whose fall started this domino effect. Sr. Roseann Murphy has especially expressed her feelings on the tragedy and has obtained, with the help of Vice President for Finance and Administration Alex Kramer, is preparing to save an uninfected piece of the legendary tree and turn it into a memorial, as long as they can find someone to work the wood.

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