The University Record, April 8, 2002

Tree damage doesn’t stump arborists

The U-M Forestry Crew, which cares for more than 15,000 inventoried trees on campus, has been working the 2 a.m. to noon shift to complete the spring spraying program. The crew is a rare group, made up of certified arborists who have passed certification tests on soil types, tree identification, ropes, knots, rigging, and bracing; and disease diagnosis, plant anatomy and biology.

Toward the end of its shift, the crew works on storm damage to a tree beside the Diag (see related story, page 8). Clockwise from bottom right, Art Grissom (left) helps Laura Bowman prepare the rope she will use to climb and secure the limbs she cuts from the tree. Then, from a cherry picker, Michael Stoker (left) discusses with Bowman the required surgery for the injured tree. Top, Bowman climbs to the damaged area to tie and saw through the broken limb. (Photos by Marcia Ledford, U-M Photo Services)