Williston students are concerned and curious about the number of trees being removed on campus and the impact it may have not just on the ecosystem, but on student morale.
Over the last couple of years, Williston students have noticed a number of trees disappearing over long weekends and holiday vacations. Some students are indifferent about it, while others have voiced their concerns.
Sophomore Zora Elkin noticed the removal of trees, most recently the one in front of Ford Hall.
“I think in some ways it’s an issue ,[but] in other ways the trees could be dying and need to be removed,” said Zora.
In front of Ford Hall on the main residential quad, a large tree was taken down over the summer, and on the pathway to the Dining Commons, there is no longer a small tree in the stone planter. Earlier in the day, as I was doing research for my History Scholar’s project, I noticed that the Libguides page had a picture of the library, and on the path to Scott Hall were two large spruce trees that have since been removed.
Wesley Newton, Williston’s Grounds Manager, explained why trees are removed.
“The most common reason a tree is removed is ultimately due to safety concerns,” Newton told The Willistonian. “We never want to see a tree or limb fall and harm a member of our community. That being said, they usually become safety concerns when they have a strong decline in health.”
Newton added that tree health could decline for “a number of reasons,” and assures students that there are plans to replant trees to make up for the removal of others.
“Whenever we have a tree removed, there is always a plan to replant another tree,” he said. “Sometimes it is not in the same location, because the location could be why the previous tree declined. But yes, we strive to replace every tree we have to remove.”
“I believe trees play a humongous role in the aesthetics and ecosystem of our campus.” Newton adds, “I greatly enjoy the color that trees bring to our campus. From your basic green, to the orange and yellow fall foliage, to the pink and purple flowers of a spring cherry tree, they can provide a tremendous color palette to our campus.”
That’s a sentiment shared by senior day student Caleb Kemp.
“I really like walking on hot day, just walking under one [a tree] on the path and getting a little bit of shade, or on a rainy day,” said Caleb. “There are areas that have had their trees removed, and they look a lot more bare bones and empty in a way.”
