April 13, 2018
A large tree with a compromised root system has been identified near the northeast corner of the Gund Gallery. It will be removed [April 13, 2018,] by Blue Denim Tree Service of Mount Vernon for safety reasons. The tree is leaning toward the gallery and would result in significant damage to the building if it fell. The tree will be replaced as part of Kenyon's tree-care plan.
June 29, 2016
Approximately 40 to 45 trees across campus will be removed in July in the interest of campus safety.
The majority of the trees have fallen victim to the emerald ash borer, an insect that has affected ash trees across Ohio since 2003. The pest bores tunnels under tree bark, disrupting the vital flow of water and nutrients throughout the tree and effectively starving the tree to death. Trees typically die within three to five years of infestation. Workers first spotted signs of distress in the ash trees during this spring’s survey of campus trees.
View an article detailing plans for tree removal across campus.
March 7, 2016
Two ash trees on campus will be removed Tuesday, March 8, because of safety concerns.
One of the trees stands in front of one of the Acland Street Apartments – at 105 S. Acland St. The other is near the southwest corner of Sparrow House, 221 N. Acland St. Grounds Manager Steven Vaden said the tree on South Acland Street has holes in large branches and the top of the tree near Sparrow House has broken, both creating hazards.
Blue Denim Tree Service of Mount Vernon is removing the trees during spring break to reduce the risk to pedestrians.
November 4, 2015
Nine trees across campus are in the process of being removed by Blue Denim Tree Service in Mount Vernon as part of the effort by the grounds department to cut down dead and dying trees. In addition, other trees are being trimmed of dead limbs.
“Everything we’re cutting down is because of safety issues,” said Steven Vaden, grounds manager. Workers will replace the trees either later this fall or in the spring.
Among the trees targeted for removal are a large cherry tree in front of Rothenberg Hillel House, a maple on the corner of Brooklyn and Chase avenues, a maple south of Sunset Cottage and a number of ash trees on north campus near Watson Hall, Eaton Center and Snowden Center. Small ash trees near Horvitz Hall are also being removed.
Emerald ash borers, a green beetle native to eastern Asia, are likely culprits in the deaths of the ash trees, Vaden said. “We’ll likely lose more ash trees as time goes on,” he said. “Treatment against the borer is cost prohibitive, and we have to keep students safe.”
Future plantings will include maples, oaks and tulip poplars.
One other tree on campus will come down before the end of the year. A large oak near the press box of McBride Field has grown too close to the parking lot. Vaden says he plans to have it removed after the end of the semester.
Note: Tree near McBride Field will be removed today, not at the end of the semester.
July 14, 2015
Another dozen trees found to be dead or dying are being removed in the coming days in the interest of campus safety and beauty.
Blue Denim Tree Service of Mount Vernon is handling the tree removal as well as trimming dead branches from some trees that will remain standing. Grounds Manager Steven Vaden said trees on the removal list include dead and dying ash trees near North College Road, a dead ash near the College Cemetery, a dead ash near Watson Hall, dying cherry trees near the Rothenberg Hillel House and Snowden Multicultural Center, a dead maple near Eaton Center, a dying maple near Sunset Cottage, a dying maple near the intersection of Brooklyn Street and Chase Avenue, a dead oak in the woods near Horvitz Hall, and a dead oak and a walnut with a large hole in its trunk near the South parking lot at Peirce Hall.
These trees are in addition to the 17 trees targeted for removal earlier this month. Trees that are taken down are recycled into mulch for the campus, and the replacement of trees is being assessed.
July 8, 2015
Maintaining a safe and beautiful campus requires the removal of dead and dying trees, and several trees are being cut down this week as a part of routine grounds maintenance.
Blue Denim Tree Service of Mount Vernon is handling the tree removal as well as trimming dead branches from some trees that will remain standing. Grounds Manager Steven Vaden said a dead maple near Bailey House, three dead ash trees and a dead oak near the Bolton Dance Studio, a dying maple near Cromwell Cottage, four dead pines near Peirce Hall, and a dying maple near Seitz House are being removed. In addition, six pine trees that are causing damage to the chiller unit outside Ascension Hall are being removed. The grounds staff is assessing placement of new trees.
November 24, 2014
Heavy winds took down a major part of a maple tree near McBride Field today, causing the Maintenance Division to turn its attention away from a tree that they had targeted for removal this week near Bailey House.
The maple tree near McBride – more than 30 years old and more than 20 feet tall – has become a safety priority and will be removed this week, during Thanksgiving break, said Steve Vaden, Maintenance Division grounds manager.
A sugar maple near the southeast corner of Bailey House, suffering dieback after more than 50 years in the ground, will be removed after the tree near McBride comes down, no later than during the winter break.
Both trees will be replaced in the spring.
October 8, 2014
A South Campus sugar maple tree near Ascension Hall will be cut down this week during October Break reading days.
The tree, which stands about 35 feet and is about 35 years old, shows signs of substantial decay in its trunk and “poses a potential safety risk,” said Grounds Manager Steven Vaden. The tree is on the Middle Path side of Ascension Hall, north of the path that leads to Samuel Mather Hall. “Just the right wind will take the tree down,” Vaden said. “That’s my fear.”
The tree removal is part of the annual, campus-wide tree maintenance program, said Steven Arnett, interim director of facilities operations. A new tree will be planted near the location of the one being removed.