By Daijah White / Staff Writer

The harsh weather conditions that struck Marshall this month tore a tree out of the ground on campus.

History Professor Tiffany Bergman said the white pine (Pinus Strobus) tree was planted on April 26, 1991 for Arbor Day. Arbor day is a holiday that occurs on the last Friday of April every year and dates back all the way to 1872. It is a day designated to planting trees for a multitude of benefits. 

“This year Arbor Day is also on April 26 and we will be planting trees again,” Bergman said.  

Strong and loud winds swept through campus as students were going to class. The wind speed reached a peak of about 29 mph, according to the National Weather Service. 

MVC maintenance cut the tree up and began to remove it piece by piece from campus the following day. The stump was burned to remove it permanently and smoldered for almost 24 hours. 

Dr. Sarah Macdonald, a professor of biology, said it was a combination of high winds and prior damage to the tree that caused it to fall.

“As far as I could tell there was a structural problem between the roots and the trunk, and it broke in the heavy winds,” she said.