Beware falling trees
by Taylor Martin, Reporter
The recent bad weather has developed a serious safety concern on campus. A major reason why the George Fox campus is so beautiful is the many big trees adorning the quad surrounding the dormitories. Yet these same trees can also be a safety threat.
Just this year, the campus has seen two major risks associated with fallen trees.
Earlier this year a coast pine fell right in front of Edwards Residence Hall. As well, a couple of weeks ago, an oak tree fell at the steps of Minthorn Hall. While no major damage was caused, it was fortunate that the tree did not fall at a slightly different angle and crush the hall itself.
In the past few years, numerous trees have fallen on campus. One such instance was last winter when a tree fell on student Todd Harlow's car right across from
Pennington Hall. "I had just walked right past my car, and a tree fell on it. It was an amazing coincidence." Harlow's unfortunate circumstance proves it can happen to anyone.
"I parked it in the George Fox parking lot, thinking it would be safe," said Harlow, "but...you just never know." Harlow also wishes to let everyone know that if a falling tree ever smashes their car, he could offer some advice.
In the winter of 2004-05, during a particularly bad week of ice, a tree fell into
Barclay House, knocking off its deck and causing major damage to the backside of the building.
Clyde Thomas, director of Plant Services, says, "Wherever trees exist, risk increases to property and people." However, the university has taken some solid steps in trying to limit that danger.
Just over a year ago, Plant Services started a tree hazard assessment program in which they have been consulting with Carl Anderson, an arborist from Tilikum. Through Anderson's expertise and the program, Plant Services has removed six trees that posed a threat to our campus.
One of the main problems, especially with the trees on the quad, is the fact that the lawn is kept green during the summer. The issue with many of the trees is that fungi attack their roots, leaving them susceptible to root-rot and a less firm base. This problem is worsened by the continual watering during the summer, because dry summers usually subdue those fungi.
For this reason, and armed with this knowledge, Plant Services is changing the way they water during the summer.
"Our current practice, based on these understandings, is to water the quad as little as possible, barely keeping the lawn green."
This practice is especially focused around the base of the trees; irrigation water is set so that the water does not strike the trunk of the tree.