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District to remove aging 'witness tree' at Warriors Stadium; plan to preserve legacy and graft saplings
Summary
District staff told the board they will release a statement about removing an aging maple tree near Warriors Stadium that may date to the Battle of Gettysburg; the district plans to preserve the stump for education and graft saplings for replanting with the high school's agricultural department.
Belinda told the board the district will issue a press release announcing the removal of an aging silver maple near the Warriors Stadium concession area because the tree's structural condition now poses a safety risk.
"The civil maple tree, believed to date back to the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, stood for generations near the district's athletic facilities," Belinda said. She said the tree has hollowed and deteriorated and presents risk of falling limbs.
The district plans to preserve the tree's legacy by retaining a stump approximately two feet high for educational study, collaborating with the Gettysburg High School agricultural department to graft saplings for future planting, and creating a marker explaining the tree's history if safety conditions allow. Belinda said the district consulted experts and exhausted options to preserve the tree in place before deciding on removal.
School leaders noted the decision balances historical respect with student and visitor safety; a press release will be issued soon to notify the community.
The board acknowledged the plan and moved on to calendar items and adjournment.
