Framingham State University to Plant 99 New Trees

Framingham State University will plant 99 new trees and 128 new bushes on campus over the next few years as part of a larger landscaping plan connected to two construction projects.

Some selected trees around campus are in the process of being removed due to safety concerns or to make way for the construction of a dining commons extension and a new science laboratory building.

The University is making every effort to minimize the number of trees being removed.

“Everyone at Framingham State values the beauty of our trees on campus and we want to assure people that we wouldn’t remove a tree unless absolutely necessary,” University spokesman Dan Magazu said. “We have two very important construction projects getting underway that will require the removal of some trees, but we will be planting more than 200 new trees and bushes as replacements. We firmly believe the net result will be an even more beautiful campus, with a dining commons area large enough to serve our student body and state-of-the-art laboratory space.”

During Spring Break this week, a large double oak in Crocker Grove was removed because it was diseased and had become a safety issue. One of the trunks was at least 50 percent dead and had two stress fractures. The tree was removed at the recommendation of two certified arborists, said Magazu.

Trees behind the McCarthy Center Dining Commons were also removed during spring break to make way for the extension project. Tree removal around Hemenway will take place this summer.