Campus storm clean-up may continue into January

The trimming and felling of dozens of trees on the Northwest Missouri State University campus damaged in one of the worst ice storms to hit the Midwest in decades continues apace and may last into the new year.

Northwest Associate Director of Environmental Services Lezlee Johnson said the top priority is still clearing hanging limbs and other debris that constitute safety hazards. After that goal is met, the focus will shift to saving those trees that remain and, as spring returns, planting saplings.

Johnson also directs the Missouri State Arboretum, a designation that embraces the 102-year-old University campus, which has long been known for its luxuriant foliage. For much of the 19^thcentury, the land that is now Northwest served as a nursery operated by early Maryville resident Thomas Gaunt.

Though the storm damage is severe -- ice destroyed perhaps 20 percent of the campus’ tree stand -- Johnson said clean-up efforts and initial recovery planning remain on track.

“It’s going great,” she said. “But this is really changing the face of campus. We’re going to be a lot more open now. There is going to be a lot more grass, and there will be more room to plant lots of trees.”

Northwest has hired the Enfield Tree Service of Elkhorn, Neb., to help clear the debris. Enfield crews began work shortly after dawn on Tuesday, Dec. 18, and are expected to remain in the field until around noon Friday, Dec. 21. After a break for Christmas, Enfield personnel will return until at least Dec. 28.

“We’ll start deciding soon how much longer we need them to help take care of the safety issues,” Johnson said. “It could go on into the new year.”

Johnson explained that recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, have given arborists and plant biologists new insights into pruning and other techniques used to save damaged trees. The key, she said, is to prune broken limbs in front of an undamaged branch. This provides “growth energy” for the pruned limb and increases the tree’s chance for survival.

The full impact of the storm has yet to be measured, but Johnson estimates that ice claimed between 100 and 200 trees on campus. Removing remaining hazards and repairing the aesthetic damage -- in so far as that is possible -- will cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Insurance will cover part of the expense, Johnson said. Official disaster-area status, which has been requested by Gov. Matt Blunt, means funds may become available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Johnson also plans to apply for a grant to pay for a tree inventory that would lay groundwork for decisions about care and planting regimens over the coming years. Another funding possibility is a tree-care grant through the Missouri Department of Conservation.

“But some of it will have to come out of the University’s maintenance budget,” Johnson said. “Nothing is going to pay for everything.”

Virtually every tree on campus suffered at least some storm damage, Johnson said. Species faring the worst included silver maples, green ashes, hackberries river birches and pin oaks.

Members of the Northwest community and other area residents are urged to visit http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/features/tree_storm.htm, a state Conservation Department site containing information for homeowners and others on how to take care of damaged trees on private property.

In the past, Maryville residents have taken fallen tree limbs to the University’s chipping plant, which processes the wood into fuel burned to produce electricity that heats and cools campus buildings. But this time, Johnson said, there is simply too much debris. Citizens are therefore asked to haul tree parts to an alternate collection site just south of Donaldson Westside Park along Country Club Road. The area is easily visible from the road and marked with a sign.

Only tree parts will be accepted, Johnson said. No dumping of construction materials or other waste is allowed.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone (660) 562-1704
Fax (660) 562-1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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