EAST LANSING, Mich. – Landscape beautification will continue this summer around Michigan State University’s iconic Sparty statue.
In the past five years, the Physical Plant has renovated multiple areas surrounding Sparty. Improvements have included the landscape at the Sparty plaza, additional trees along Kalamazoo Street, renovations to the north entrance of Demonstration Hall, and the east entrance of Jenison Field House.
Continuing those improvements, about a dozen trees, dying due to a condition called girdling roots, will soon be removed from the Demonstration Hall Field.
The trees, Norway maples, are located along Chestnut Road and Kalamazoo Street near Demonstration Hall. They will be replaced with 23 Sienna Glen red maples which will be planted along the entire east and west sides of the field. The Sienna Glen red maples produce striking red leaves in the autumn.
Officials from the MSU Physical Plant said as the Norway maples mature, their roots tend to develop in a circular manner restricting healthy growth. Many of the trees are already showing signs of decline, with a number of dead branches visible.
Tressa Wahl, Physical Plant landscape designer, said tree removal is not taken lightly at MSU.
“We are very sensitive about removing mature trees on our beautiful campus, and we discuss all options with our campus arborist and curator,” Wahl said. “This restoration will return healthy trees to the original, historical landscape design.”
Wood chips from the removed trees will be recycled and burned at MSU’s Power Plant.
For more information, visit www.construction.msu.edu/construction/index.cfm/projects/tree-improvements-around-demonstration-field/.
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