First of the UL Old Oaks, Felled

[jazzpop]

As reported by several local news sources in the last day or two, UL plans to uproot at least six large live oak trees to accomodate new construction. While the construction projects are necessary, it is not at all clear that the university has explored every available option to incorporate the trees into their plans.

Four of the trees are original Century Oaks planted in 1900 by the university's first president, Dr. Edwin Stephans, who was also the founder of the National Live Oak Society. As such, they are not only beautiful, but are irreplaceable cultural treasures and a living link to the very beginnings of UL.

Please consider e-mailing Dr. Savoy and urging him to consider every available option before they are destroyed.

[Turbine]

"NO!"

[CajunRed]

I am confident that these are responsible people who do not take such things lightly...and would not destroy these trees unless it was necessary.

igeaux.mobi

[CajunT]

_ As reported by several local news sources in the last day or two, UL plans to uproot at least six large live oak trees to accomodate new construction. While the construction projects are necessary, it is not at all clear that the university has explored every available option to incorporate the trees into their plans.

Four of the trees are original Century Oaks planted in 1900 by the university's first president, Dr. Edwin Stephans, who was also the founder of the National Live Oak Society. As such, they are not only beautiful, but are irreplaceable cultural treasures and a living link to the very beginnings of UL.

Please consider e-mailing Dr. Savoy and urging him to consider every available option before they are destroyed. _

Here's an idea, perhaps you and others involved with the National Live Oak Society might raise the funds to help offset the cost of changes in the construction projects plans at this late stage. I can assure you, it will almost certainly cost the university more to change plans to accomodate the oaks. As someone that enjoys oak trees, perhaps this is the only available option for you to save the oak trees at this point.

[billbeck451]

If the right company is employed those oaks can be moved. Several large oaks are just east of the old Gulfpoort Grand casino property all were moved from an area north of hwy 90 when the casino built their hotel and all of them survived the move and were strong enough to also survive hurricane Katrina. So these oaks can be moved to a suitable location nearby that could enhance the new construction. Whether or not that will be done I don't know, but it seems that enough publicity is being shined on this that something will hopefully be considered

[Turbine]

There will always be a million excuses for giving away 100 acres or cutting down pesky trees.

Somebody ripped a strip of bark off one of Century Oaks near University and Johnston. They don't care about UL traditions, they don't, the Century Oaks are UL's only real "knock on wood" tradition.

In a few years they will justify cutting all the trees down to widen Johnston street. They will say you didn't object then what's the problem now?
igeaux.mobi

[RedBug58]

_ As reported by several local news sources in the last day or two, UL plans to uproot at least six large live oak trees to accomodate new construction. While the construction projects are necessary, it is not at all clear that the university has explored every available option to incorporate the trees into their plans.

Four of the trees are original Century Oaks planted in 1900 by the university's first president, Dr. Edwin Stephans, who was also the founder of the National Live Oak Society. As such, they are not only beautiful, but are irreplaceable cultural treasures and a living link to the very beginnings of UL.

Please consider e-mailing Dr. Savoy and urging him to consider every available option before they are destroyed. _

Where exactly are these six oak trees? I know the campus pretty good and I can't think of an area where some of the original Stephan's oaks would be in a construction area.

[CajunNation]

"NO!"

I don't know where these affected trees are on campus, but I would rather demolish Blackham and those barns than cut down one of those trees if we need space on which to build.

[CajunStros]

_ I don't know where these affected trees are on campus, but I would rather demolish Blackham and those barns than cut down one of those trees if we need space on which to build. _

So, you want resident students to live where Blackham currently is?

I enjoy 100 year Oak trees and all, but come on.

[awadelewis]

_ Where exactly are these six oak trees? I know the campus pretty good and I can't think of an area where some of the original Stephan's oaks would be in a construction area. _

Most of them are in the area near the old Denbo and Bancroft dorms. The remaining 1 or 2 are in the area between Credit Union and Angelle Hall.

According to the Physical Plant director, at least 2 of the 6 will have come down no matter what happened as they're in poor health. The story in The Independent also said the University plans to plant an equal amount of board-feet in other areas of campus to replace the trees being removed.

[CajunNation]

So, you want resident students to live where Blackham currently is?

I enjoy 100 year Oak trees and all, but come on.

Yes.

It takes the same amount of time to walk from Blackham to Martin Hall as it does to walk from Legacy apartments to Martin Hall.

The area from Blackham to the frats to the intramural fields all the way to the Horticulture Center is the answer to ALL of this university's housing problem. It would be a bridge between the Athletic and Academic campi.

It is the most misued piece of land the school owns.

[RedBug58]

_ Most of them are in the area near the old Denbo and Bancroft dorms. The remaining 1 or 2 are in the area between Credit Union and Angelle Hall.

According to the Physical Plant director, at least 2 of the 6 will have come down no matter what happened as they're in poor health. The story in The Independent also said the University plans to plant an equal amount of board-feet in other areas of campus to replace the trees being removed. _

Those are nice trees, but I'm not so sure that they are "Stephan's Oaks" planted in1900.........Who can verify this?? Turb??

[CajunStros]

_ Most of them are in the area near the old Denbo and Bancroft dorms. The remaining 1 or 2 are in the area between Credit Union and Angelle Hall.

According to the Physical Plant director, at least 2 of the 6 will have come down no matter what happened as they're in poor health. The story in The Independent also said the University plans to plant an equal amount of board-feet in other areas of campus to replace the trees being removed. _

I heard there are 5 in question, 2 of which have grown together and are weak already.

[CajunT]

_ Most of them are in the area near the old Denbo and Bancroft dorms. The remaining 1 or 2 are in the area between Credit Union and Angelle Hall.

According to the Physical Plant director, at least 2 of the 6 will have come down no matter what happened as they're in poor health. The story in The Independent also said the University plans to plant an equal amount of board-feet in other areas of campus to replace the trees being removed. _

Seems like a viable solution to me. Perhaps others that are not willing to accept the universities decision should present a financial solution to their request. It seems so easy for others to suggest changes to plans when they are not picking up the cost or might be unwilling to do so.

[CajunStros]

Agreed.

[jazzpop]

First of all, thanks, Turbine, and you are right! The Century Oaks are the original tradition.

You are absolutely correct that cutting these makes it easier to do the next time they are "in the way." I don't in any way oppose the progress this needed construction represents.

But the manner in which the university went about it, essentially not letting anyone know this was fixing to happen, certainly raises suspicions. The trees that seem to be Century Oaks, are on University, not in front of the old twin towers. The point is that these are irreplaceable. Planting sapplings in a total circumferance exchange doesn't make sense in the context of losing the cultural treasure. It would be akin to building six tract houses in exchange for tearing down Shadows-on-the-Teche.

[cjr3888]

I don't see how the Live Oak Society would allow this to happen. When the fire department in Loreauville was expanded, the expansion had to be built at an angle because we weren't allowed to come close to touching the oak tree in front.


igeaux.mobi

[CajunStros]

_ Yes.

It takes the same amount of time to walk from Blackham to Martin Hall as it does to walk from Legacy apartments to Martin Hall.

The area from Blackham to the frats to the intramural fields all the way to the Horticulture Center is the answer to ALL of this university's housing problem. It would be a bridge between the Athletic and Academic campi.

It is the most misued piece of land the school owns. _

Well, since the new dining hall will be in the new Student Union and perhaps the new hub for the University, I don't think the Blackham area was ever an option for housing. I seriously doubt you would fined ONE student who would want to live that far out and still be considered a "campus resident". You might as well live at Beau Chenes Apartments.

I think you are mistaken about your walk time between Martin Hall and Legacy Park. Have you ever walked from Blackham to campus??? Not to mention, its along the busiest street in Lafayette, not a safe option at all.

[Turbine]

Those are nice trees, but I'm not so sure that they are "Stephan's Oaks" planted in1900.........Who can verify this?? Turb??

The Century Oaks wrapped the original 25 acres
igeaux.mobi

[CajunRed]

Seems like a viable solution to me. Perhaps others that are not willing to accept the universities decision should present a financial solution to their request. It seems so easy for others to suggest changes to plans when they are not picking up the cost or might be unwilling to do so.

You noticed that too, did you.




igeaux.mobi