University of Missouri to replace oaks on Francis Quadrangle
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Fifteen trees more than 70 years old will be removed and replaced from the Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri starting this month.
The pin oaks have reached the end of their lifespan and become a possible safety hazard for people and buildings, Michael Graves, associate vice chancellor for facilities, said in a news release.
"Replacing them is essential to the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors,” Graves said.
The pin oaks will be replaced by Legacy Oaks donated in 2019 by Wayne Lovelace and his daughter Kim Lovelace-Hainsfurther grown at MU's South Farm, according to the release. The oaks are a species of white oak with a lifespan of more than 200 years, the release says.
Mizzou Botanic Graden faculty and staff along with off-campus arborists have been creating the plan to replace the pin oaks for four years, MU says. Removal of the pin oaks should be done by June 3, according to a question-and-answer web page.
The university will determine if any of the pin oak wood can be salvaged, according to the web page. MU will also have to do some utility work on the quad before the new trees are planted.
The university says the pin oaks, which aren't ideal for urban areas, are reaching the end of their lifespan, typically 70 to 90 years. Others have contracted diseases common to pin oaks and problems accelerated for some after irrigation was installed on Francis Quadrangle, MU says.
