200 year old state champion beech tree to be removed from Southeast MO State River Campus
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Leaders at Southeast Missouri State University have decided to remove a 200 year old tree from campus because of its rotting main trunk.
A state champion beech tree will be removed early the week of July 24.
The tree was garnered state champion status when it was awarded in 1996 before Southeast owned the property. The American beech is the only native North American species of beech tree. It is 17 feet in circumference, 109 feet tall and 97 feet in spread.
In August 2022, a large limb fell from the base of the tree due to rotting in the main trunk caused by age. The branch, multiple feet in diameter, was one of the main structural branches and reached a walking path on the River Campus when it fell, according to the university.
University officials had the tree’s health and stability evaluated by three private arborists and experts, a community forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation, and a forestry entomologist with the Department of Conservation. The assessments were all similar in that there is no central stem on the tree. That means it creates a cup that collects moisture which has contributed to the decay of the central heartwood of the tree, according to Jennifer Behnken, community forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s southeast region.
An arborist performed a sonic tomography test that takes the length of time soundwaves travel from sensors placed on the tree to determine where there is decayed and non-decayed wood. Software was used to determine how much of a loss in load carrying capacity has been caused by the decayed wood. The results found extensive internal decay, according to Southeast.
Kretzchmaria duesta, a fungus that attacks the tree’s root system was found around the base.
The Crisp Museum at the River Campus is hosting a Family Day at the Museum on Saturday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is open to the public. It will include an exhibit dedicated to the tree and activities to celebrate the tree.
