UNC axes efforts to save local tree
By: Allison Miller, University Editor
Issue date: 6/14/07 Section: University
Despite efforts to save it, a 75- to 100-year-old tree between the School of Dentistry and the Health Sciences Library was cut down Tuesday to make way for a steam line and an electrical duct bank.
Carolyn Elfland, associate vice chancellor for Campus Services, said planning for construction around the tree would be pointless, since the tree also stands in the way of a project slated to begin next year.
"The tree is in the footprint for the new dental school," she said.
Valerie Miller, an administrative manager in the dental school says funding for an addition to the dental school is still waiting approval by the N.C. General Assembly.
"What we have asked is that the tree be saved until the funding for the building is also approved," she said.
Elfland said if funding is not approved over the summer, the addition will become a priority project at the University for next session.
Miller said she finds the plans for the dental school ironic.
"Adjacent to where the tree stands now are plans for an arboretum," she said.
Elfland said an e-mail goes out to people in the vicinity every time the University plans to cut a tree down for any reason.
She said an e-mail was sent out Friday about the tree.
Miller said she e-mailed Elfland on Friday and got a response saying the tree, which she is calling "THIS" tree, would not be spared.
"I think it's important to save the tree because it's 75- to 100-years-old, and it's symbolic to the dental school," Miller said.
"It has weathered so many storms."
Miller said she thought the projects would impact the recently opened Sam W. Hitt Medicinal Plant Garden next to the Health Science Library, but Carol Jenkins, the director of the library, said the garden will remain intact.
Jenkins added that she thinks the tree needed to come down, but she feels like the University does care about its plants and trees considering the medicinal garden has been receiving good care.
A petition to save the tree circulated around the dental school and nearby buildings last week and early this week.
It got 250 to 300 signatures, Miller said.
She said she dropped the petition off on Monday, but thought it was probably too late to make a difference.
"We were all really hoping for a delay," Miller said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
Carolyn Elfland, associate vice chancellor for Campus Services, said planning for construction around the tree would be pointless, since the tree also stands in the way of a project slated to begin next year.
"The tree is in the footprint for the new dental school," she said.
Valerie Miller, an administrative manager in the dental school says funding for an addition to the dental school is still waiting approval by the N.C. General Assembly.
"What we have asked is that the tree be saved until the funding for the building is also approved," she said.
Elfland said if funding is not approved over the summer, the addition will become a priority project at the University for next session.
Miller said she finds the plans for the dental school ironic.
"Adjacent to where the tree stands now are plans for an arboretum," she said.
Elfland said an e-mail goes out to people in the vicinity every time the University plans to cut a tree down for any reason.
She said an e-mail was sent out Friday about the tree.
Miller said she e-mailed Elfland on Friday and got a response saying the tree, which she is calling "THIS" tree, would not be spared.
"I think it's important to save the tree because it's 75- to 100-years-old, and it's symbolic to the dental school," Miller said.
"It has weathered so many storms."
Miller said she thought the projects would impact the recently opened Sam W. Hitt Medicinal Plant Garden next to the Health Science Library, but Carol Jenkins, the director of the library, said the garden will remain intact.
Jenkins added that she thinks the tree needed to come down, but she feels like the University does care about its plants and trees considering the medicinal garden has been receiving good care.
A petition to save the tree circulated around the dental school and nearby buildings last week and early this week.
It got 250 to 300 signatures, Miller said.
She said she dropped the petition off on Monday, but thought it was probably too late to make a difference.
"We were all really hoping for a delay," Miller said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
Be the first to comment on this story