Poisonous vegetation removed from St. Ignatius Lawn area

By Staff reports

Recently, the threat of a fungus was found to the cedar trees of the St. Ignatius Gardens, located between Kenna, Walsh, and the Heafey Law Library, in the large green tree-covered area for students and faculty to enjoy, lounge in leisure, or class time.

The trees contracted the fungus due to intolerance for the irrigation of sustainable recycled water that runs through nearly the entire campus.

Chris Young, Assistant Director of Building and Grounds in Facilities, describes how the issue unfolded and the steps taken to alleviate the tree of the fungus.

"The first order to take was to cure the fungus. We believe in its weakened state due to the intolerance, it originated in the ivy and eventually impacted the tree. Some plants and trees are not tolerant; we are currently treating the cedar and have removed the grass underneath".

At the end of March, further measures were taken to ensure the vitality of cedar in the lawn to rid of the harmful growth by contracting specialists including an Arborist from Arborists OnSite Inc. tree care and consulting, as well as a plant pathologist last Thursday from CIR Plant Labs to collect soil and tissue samples to determine whether the fungus is still active.