Tree removal sparks debate among faculty, students
Jessica Boisclair
Issue date: 11/24/09 Section: News
The next step is the removal of all the Norway Maple trees along the long walkway that stretches from the URI Robert L. Carother's Library to the URI Memorial Union. This historic pathway, the Dieter Hammerschlag mall, was named after Hammerschlag, an associate professor of urban design who taught at URI prior to his death in the 1970s.
"The administration said the roots are starting to make the pavement bumpy and uneven," Professor Simeoni said. "But why not repave the strip instead of cutting down all those trees?"
He said the trees around campus should be increasing in abundance, not declining. Because trees are being cut down and can longer be identified, Simeoni said students are losing out on their education, especially students enrolled in plant identification courses.
"The bottom line is removing trees can be a good thing if they are hazardous," Simeoni said. However, Simeoni is concerned as to when and if URI is planning on replanting the removed trees.
"The administration said the roots are starting to make the pavement bumpy and uneven," Professor Simeoni said. "But why not repave the strip instead of cutting down all those trees?"
He said the trees around campus should be increasing in abundance, not declining. Because trees are being cut down and can longer be identified, Simeoni said students are losing out on their education, especially students enrolled in plant identification courses.
"The bottom line is removing trees can be a good thing if they are hazardous," Simeoni said. However, Simeoni is concerned as to when and if URI is planning on replanting the removed trees.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Anonymous
posted 11/24/09 @ 10:48 AM EST
Since these professors seem to have a significant amount of spare time on their hands to write about such a topic, they should take some of this time and pay a visit to the University Archives and look at pictures of the University from the early 1900's. (Continued…)
Wendy Ravello
posted 11/24/09 @ 7:45 PM EST
I am a student of the University of Rhode,I attend the Providence campus on occasion I do go to the Kingstown campus and have always enjoyed looking at all the beautiful trees i do think it is a shame that the trees are being removed, i thought that it was always a good idea to have trees around so if the tress are not dying then they should be left alone
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