The existing trees in the UHeights Oval are all ash trees.
While an excellent native tree for this location, the Emerald Ash Borer (an invasive insect pest) has almost reached campus.
Once it arrives, the ash trees will unfortunately succumb and die within a few years.
Therefore, Senior Ajna Siegel and Dr. Mark Starrett
(Department of Agriculture, Landscape & Environment in CALS) secured a Sustainable Campus Fund grant to underplant the ash with native Freeman maple trees that are not susceptible to this insect pest.
This will allow these maples to get established so when the ash are removed, the maples will be ready to fill in and take their place!