UNK TODAY
Saturday, August 24, 2024 | 15
A TREE-AT ON CAMPUS Michael Cremers discusses the value of trees at UNK
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is part of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, a non- profit organization founded in 1978 with the University of Ne- braska-Lincoln Institute of Ag- riculture and Natural Resources as a prime partner. From the group’s website: “What began as an effort of a small group of plant enthusiasts has evolved into a coalition of community builders, environmental stew- ards and others who love the land, whether it be the pristine prairies of the Sandhills, or a schoolyard in a challenging ur- ban neighborhood.” Working with groups like the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum helps Cremers and his staff effec- tively plan and manage the more than 1,700 trees on campus. “And recently we returned to our Tree Campus USA status,” he said. “What that means is that we really do try to manage our trees on campus. We have a cam- pus arborist on staff, Andrew Kennedy, and his responsibility is to manage our tree inventory. We have all of our trees inven- toried. We know what we have and where they are located. As trees get damaged in storms or afflicted by disease, we give seri-
ous thought to what kind of tree will replace it.” That status also recognizes the role of trees on campus and pro- vides resources on how to reflect a healthy and active community of trees. For Cremers, it’s personal. When asked about his favor- ite tree on campus, he picked one that might not get noticed by other people. “It’s just outside our office in the General Services Building,” he said. “There’s a little ever- green — it’s not so little anymore — but when I started with the university in 2003, it was proba- bly three feet high. It looked like a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It still doesn’t look like the healthiest tree on campus, but it has grown quite a bit.” Cremers feels connected with the tree because it has paralleled his career over the past two de- cades at UNK. “I always think back to that tree and how tall it was when I first started working here, that little 3-foot tree,” he said. That’s the kind of barely vis- ible, yet important message that trees can give to a campus like the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
RICK BROWN rick@yardlightmedia.com
KEARNEY — While most stu- dents and community members might not fully notice the trees on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus, Michael Cre- mers understands the impor- tance of their value. “Trees add so much to the landscape,” he said. “It gives the campus a sense of grandeur as you walk across the grounds. You can see some of those trees that have been there for 60, 70 or even 80 plus years. It adds to the history of the campus, as well.” As the director of the Office of Facilities Management and Planning, Cremers considers trees in the prairie as a marker for a place where something spe- cial is happening, whether they grow along a river or they have been planted in a specific place. “When you’re driving in rural Nebraska and you see a grove of trees, you know there’s a river there, just by seeing the trees,” Cremers said. “It’s that explo- sion of life that pops up around those sources of water. I view it the same way on our campus; it’s that vibrant atmosphere that re- ally showcases the life on cam- pus.”
RICK BROWN YARD , LIGHT MEDIA Michael Cremers, director of the Office of Facilities Management and Planning, stands next to a tree that started out as a 3-foot youngster when he began working at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2003. “I always think back to that tree and how tall it was when I first started working here, that little 3-foot tree,” he said.
Keeper of the trees Andrew Kennedy serves as campus arborist
This American Linden tree, also known as basswood, measures 76
feet high and is the largest tree of its kind in
many trees as I possibly can.” When storms move through, Kennedy provides safety for the campus by cleaning up damaged trees and limbs. Kennedy understands the many benefits offered by trees. “They provide shade, housing for animals and security for the student body,” Kennedy noted. “They like to have picnics and lounge under the trees. Grounds with trees on them create good spots for people to relax. On the technical side, mental hospitals often have groves of trees so peo-
ple can spend time there. It helps them heal.” One of his favorite trees pro- vides shade for the Frank Mu- seum of History and Culture on West Campus. “We have a champion Ameri- can linden tree there,” Kennedy said. “It’s the largest true Ameri- can linden tree in Nebraska. I had the tree certified and authen- ticated through the state forest service.” The tree is 76 feet tall and the branches stretch to about 65 feet wide.
RICK BROWN rick@yardlightmedia.com
KEARNEY — As a certified ar- borist, Andrew Kennedy main- tains the inventory of trees on campus, along with a host of other duties related to the canopy of trees at the University of Ne- braska at Kearney. “I do all the planting and all of the design work,” he said. “When it comes to contractors, I enforce the regulations of Tree Campus U.S.A. I also make sure that con- tractors don’t damage the trees on the campus and try to save as
Nebraska. Andrew Kennedy, arborist at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, estimates that the tree, located near the Frank Museum, is between 110 and 120 years old. RICK BROWN , YARD LIGHT MEDIA
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker