Project leaves campus bare

continued from pg. 1 borist. [He works with] representatives from the Biology Department, our Tree Care Worker II, and one of several local tree care maintenance service providers.”

Trees on campus are assessed annually by a third party arborist. Each tree is graded on a scale of 0 to 100: 0 being dead, 100 being in perfect health. The trees that Facilities Management have first assessed are those that have been deemed “dead” or in “poor” condition.

Over the course of the next several months, they will be working across campus to mitigate the inherent risk of falling limbs and branches.

Although most students like seeing the trees on campus, other students agree that trimming and cutting down trees are just as important as conserving them.

Fifth year sociology major Kendall B. said, “I think the trees are what make Sonoma State. I mean, the first thing people see are the redwood trees. It’s cool.”

“Personally, I don’t wanna be crushed by a falling limb,” said first year undeclared major T.J. Vine. “So I think what they’re doing is important.”

“If not managed and cared for properly, dead trees may give rise to infestation, like termites and beetles that may expand to healthy trees and campus structures,” said M. Monir Ahmed, vice president of administration and finance. “Unmanaged trees also pose a risk to campus safety; students, faculty, staff, visitors as well as our facilities and properties during bad weather seasons. They can also be a source of fuel for fires.”

Twedell added that the process is a cohesive approach. Because of this, SSU usually teams up with a third party Arborist and implements appropriate tree care pruning methods to keep the trees in optimal health, as well as address any trees that could pose harm to the campus.

He said, “In addition to tree removal, we continue to implement a managed tree care program to support the health of our trees and the safety of our campus. We will continue to partner with faculty members in academic areas such as the Biology Department, and appreciate the continued collaboration.”

Twedell added that the process is a cohesive approach. Because of this, SSU usually teams up with a third party Arborist and implements appropriate tree care pruning methods to keep the trees in optimal health, as well as address any trees that could pose harm to the campus.

He said, “In addition to tree removal, we continue to implement a managed tree care program to support the health of our trees and the safety of our campus. We will continue to partner with faculty members in academic areas such as the Biology Department, and appreciate the continued collaboration.”