Mizzou removes trees creating “hazard” on the Francis Quad

MU began removing large trees from the Francis Quadrangle today. Experts analyzed the pin oak trees over the past few years and found they are near the end of their life cycles.

Director of the Mizzou Botanic Garden, Pete Millier, said they plan to finish removing the trees this week.

“Remove five that are an immediate hazard to people walking under them,” said Director of the Mizzou Botanic Garden Pete Millier.

The trees are more than 60 years old. The old age increase the risk they will drop branches or potentially fall.The university decided it’s best for public safety to remove them.

“They start to break limbs from the top and work their way down,” Millier said. “In a forest setting you’re left with a trunk that owls and squirrels live in.

However, he said with these trees location on the quad it isn’t safe to allow them to break away naturally.

“In our circumstance they’re right over a sidewalk and we can’t have that,” he said.

Millier said he recognizes the importance the quad has to alum and faculty. The replacement trees will develop a similar stature to the pin oaks and help maintain the look the quad is known for, he said.

Over the next few years the university will replace the trees with species of white oak.

Millier said it’s a long process to remove the pin oaks and plant the white oaks but it’s worth it.

“The replacement trees are better adapted to the soil and water,” he said.

Crews will remove about one tree a day this week. Starting on Friday, they plan to remove deadwood from fifteen other trees.