THE CITADEL
171 Moultrie Street • Charleston, SC 29409 • 843-225-3294
Copyright ©1998 by The Citadel
Please send comments and suggestions about this site to PPlt Webmaster
Trees on Campus
TO: All Campus
FROM: J. FitzGerald
There have been concerns expressed due to the removal of someof the large and prominent trees on the campus. I want to assure everyone concerned that we do not take tree removal lightly on the campus. The loss of a tree is a huge visual and aesthetic impact and we regret every tree that we must take down. Trees that are damaged or diseased in many cases present us with no alternative because they are a risk to people or property on the campus. We have a legal obligation to protect the people from injury and property from damage.
When a diseased or damaged tree is identified we employ a certified arborist to inspect the tree. The arborist will advise us if we can save a tree by pruning and treatment. If the damage is too great, we must remove it. Once the arborist has made their recommendation we then contact the City inspector to visit and confirm the decision. As many are aware the City of Charleston has a very comprehensive"grand tree" ordinance. All grand trees that are to be removed must be approved and a permit issued by the Tree Ordnance Department - City Zoning Division.
The Grounds Department requests funds annually to maintain and replace trees. With all of the demands on the campus there is only limited funding available. However, trees have to be taken care of and they cannot be neglected. We annually commission a limited tree survey in anticipation of hurricane season in an effort to mitigate damage by removing dangerous limbs, unnecessary growth and dangerous trees. Many of the tree problems we have now can be traced back to damages received when Hugo came through Charleston in 1989.
Included below are photos of the typical problems we have found in the trees we have had to remove. As you can see the center of each of these trees is rotten. In some cases it is hollow and in some cases as the tree at Summerall Gate the center was filled with dirt and termites. If you have questions concern the tree removal I suggest that you contact our Chief of Grounds Ron Doyle.
| Mims Avenue | Deas Hall tree |
| Dunnemann Avenue tree | Dunnemann Avenue stump |
| Summerall Gate tree | Summerall Gate stump |
| Lesesne Gate tree | Lesesne Gate stump |
| Map of tree trimming and removal |