(Megan Kennelly, KSU Plant Pathology)
Ideally, trees should be protected during construction. For some tips, you can check out this website:
However, sometimes, the project just has to go where it needs to go and the budget does not allow time, personnel, or resources to consider tree preservation.
This corner went through some major construction in 2010. At that time, a big section of the tree’s root section was basically destroyed, with a sidewalk set in close to the trunk.
Despite having half its root system lobbed off, with broken roots as potential infection sites by wood decay fungi, the tree hung in there.
Over the past year, that area has had even more construction at that site, and the tree finally said, “Enough – I can’t take this anymore!”
The tree is scheduled to be taken down next week. RIP, big old friend!
