Invasive tree species, ecological effects on campus

By NATHAN KENISON FeatuRes wRiteR

Since its introduction to the U.S during the mid 1960s, the ornamental Pyrus calleryana, more commonly known as the Bradford pear tree, has become infamous for its pungent smell and propensity to quickly overtake plant habitats, leading to a widespread national effort to limit its growth and seek superior alternatives. However, due to the plant’s affordability and aesthetic appearance, Bradford pears are constantly planted across America. This includes on college campuses like Texas Tech.

David Blease, a tree technician for a local tree trimming service, said Bradford pears possess unique properties that account for their overwhelming invasive abilities.

“They have the capacity to be invasive pretty much any-

Construction

where they grow, because of how many seeds they produce and how quickly they can spread,” Blease said. “They can also cross-pollinate with other trees. The hybrids always [take on] the worst features of the Bradfords.

Although it is possible to sterilize live Bradford pear trees to prevent unchecked growth, these methods are inefficient and often ineffective. Vikram Baliga, Tech’s greenhouse and horticulture gardens manager, said careful precision is required to keep the trees under control.

“The problem is we have to treat each tree individually, and you have to get the timing exactly right in the spring,” Baliga said. “It can be kind of challenging just because it changes year to year. Also, the product tends to get a little expensive … and there are problems with the overall effectiveness of the product.”

Not only are Bradfords not cost effective, they also can be dangerous. Lubbock’s high wind speeds make them particularly susceptible to structural col- lapse, which can lead to property damage and safety risks.

“Their wood is pretty weak. And they grow tons of branches really close together. If you get a big windstorm … they just kind of fall apart,” Baliga said. “So, they pose some structural and human health hazards actually because branches will just fall off.”

Because of these issues, Baliga said Tech plans to slowly phase out Bradford pears across campus.

“We don’t have as many as we used to, and there are a lot that have been replaced with better species of trees. So, they’re kind of just dispersed throughout campus,” Baliga said.

Moreover, Tech’s horticultural garden also will be removing its Bradford pear specimen after it has completed its natural lifespan, and encouraged any Lubbockites who have Bradford pears to adopt a similar strategy.

“We have one still in the horticultural garden and we work on it a lot to minimize the hazards. We prune it, we clean it up … but as soon as it starts to decline, we’ll definitely take it down and replace it with something else,” Baliga said. “If you can give yourself a reasonable

19th St. construction leads to commuting disruptions

By AUSTIN WOOD News RepoRteR

In June, the Texas Department of Transportation began work on a $25.69 million project aimed at rebuilding and updating U.S. Highway 62 and State

The project involves construction and improvements spanning from Memphis Avenue to Interstate 27, with an expect- ed completion date of summer 2025, according to the Lubbock District TxDOT’s website.

The project goal is a rebuild of existing sections of 19th Street, with improvements to lighting, drainage, traffic lights and sidewalks also included.

Mackenzie Ciullar, a fourthyear nursing major from San Antonio, said even on the construction-free Tech campus, the construction has made getting around difficult,

“It’s kind of inconvenient. It’s hard to go through campus during the day when classes are running,” Ciullar said.

The project has reduced campus-adjacent portions of 19th Street to one moving lane for the majority of its duration, exacerbating traffic problems.

According to an announcement from TxDOT Lubbock’s Twitter on March 23, workers have shifted traffic onto newly paved lanes, although traffic would remain constrained to one lane.

Ciullar said she hoped construction would be finished and the influx of students returning only made the problem worse.

“I actually was here in the summer when they started: They started pretty early and I thought it would be done in time for students to come, but it just seemed like the more students that came the worse it got,” Ciullar said.

Joshua Still, a third-year mechanical engineering major from

Atlanta, Georgia said despite not having a car in Lubbock, the construction has made his life difficult.

“Just trying to get over to the Marketstreet over there, I go there a decent amount for groceries and stuff, and it’s just so slow getting over there,” Still said.

Madison Flores, a secondyear microbiology major from Houston, said despite the project’s lengthy disruptions progress has been visible.

“It’s not pleasant driving through there cause I feel like the construction wasn’t finished for a long time, and it’s still not finished, but I do see some progress,” Flores said.

As the project progresses, the majority of road work will move toward the heart of Lubbock, with the sections of 19th Street adjacent to campus anticipated to be mostly complete by the beginning of next school year. place to Work

College of Media & CoMMuniCation