Ask the editors - May 21

Why are trees on the Eastern New Mexico University campus being cut down?

Those trees are diseased, ENMU officials announced last week in a news release.

"The University is removing trees on the main campus this summer that pose a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles," read the release from John Houser, ENMU assistant vice president of marketing and communications.

Houser wrote ENMU is committed to replacing the trees that are cut down.

Houser wrote the trees that are being removed have been inspected by the ENMU physical plant, Poms & Associates Risk

Services & Insurance Brokers, and an independent certified arborist from Cut It Right Tree Service.

"The arborist and the representative from Poms & Associates documented that the affected trees have 'heartwood rot disease,'" Houser wrote.

He described the fungal disease as causing wood decay at the center of the trunk and branches, making trees structurally weaker and prone to breakage.

University President James Johnston is quoted in the release as saying the trees are "at their end of life."

"The arborist from Cut It Right Tree Service and the representative from Poms & Associates evaluated these trees and recommended them to be removed while evaluating other trees and giving advice on how to expand their lives," Johnston said.

Houser wrote the trees that are being removed are being replaced this summer, as ENMU is considering the species selection to ensure that these trees thrive in the dry climate of the region.

Johnston reiterated the importance of removing diseased trees.

"These trees are near places on the ENMU campus with traffic and pedestrians. As responsible property owners, we must remove the trees because of the potential risks," Johnston said.

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