I’ve noticed that a number of trees have been cut down over the past several years at Juilfs Park.  For instance, the willow tree at the edge of the playground and the trees between the office building and the playground are gone now.  Why were these trees removed?

First, regarding the willow tree:  Due to this tree’s unique shape, children were naturally drawn to climb on its limbs, thus girdling the trunks over many years and causing it to die.  Girdled is the term used to describe a tree when the bark is removed and the tree’s nutrient transportation pipeline is damaged.  In most cases, when the tree’s ability to transfer nutrients is inhibited, the tree dies.  Once the willow died, it became unsafe and we were forced to remove it.

We use a common scale to rate the health and safety of all trees.  The scale ranges from 1-10 with the designation of an 8 determining a tree to be unsafe.  A total of 18 trees were taken down throughout Juilfs Park in the past 3 seasons because they were classified as at least an 8.  Following are various reasons why the trees were designated unsafe:

• Two years ago, several trees around the office building were struck by lightening.  Some were noticeably up-rooted or split; others had hair-line splits which we hoped might heal.  Due to their location, they were without a doubt unsafe and were removed.
• The last few years, our springs have been exceptionally wet, resulting in the ground being saturated for uncommonly long periods of time.  Years ago, many trees were placed around the park in locations unsuitable for their species during these abnormally wet seasons.  The effects of drought and drowning take about three seasons to become apparent.

While we are making every effort to place trees in locations which will be sufficient for the species needs, we will always be at the will of Mother Nature.

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