Trees removed in Muir Woods

During the final week of winter break when there was very little vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Observatory Drive, Environmental Services staff took advantage of the lull and the relatively good weather to remove several dead, weak or broken trees along the top of Muir Woods.

The woods, named after naturalist John Muir, are part of the university’s Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

“The trees and branches had been identified as hazards that could fall on pedestrians using the sidewalk or the lawn,” says Cathie Bruner, field manager for the preserve.

The trees that were removed include a large black locust with dead wood that was leaning on another tree over the Muir Knoll lawn, and several ash and box elder trees that were leaning over the Bascom Hall bus stop or had fallen into other trees along the sidewalk.

A large Norway maple that was hollow at the base could not be removed due to some deep snow that prevented access to it. It will be removed later this year.

Ellen Agnew, supervisor of the trees and shrubs crew at Environmental Services, says that a large American elm tree on the west side of Radio Hall also had to be removed. It was succumbing to Dutch Elm disease and its dying branches were hanging over Observatory Drive. Agnew estimates that the tree was approximately 150 years old.

The number of American elms is dwindling because of Dutch elm disease. There are 34 of them remaining on campus.