Why are so many old trees falling down?
August 21, 2003 New Brunswick, NJThis summers heavy rain may be taking its toll on many older trees throughout New Jersey and the region. The combination of soggy ground, clay-rich soil and high winds could create conditions in which more trees than usual will fall. The recent deaths of three New Jerseyans resulting from falling trees demonstrate that, in highly-populated areas such as New Jersey, the health of a tree can be an important issue to the people in the surrounding community. Urban forestry is a discipline that looks at the biological, social and legal issues that can be associated with trees in an urban setting. The Urban Forestry Program at Cook College was recently established to formalize and coordinate the diverse faculty and programs that relate to trees in densely populated areas. The program is led by Jason Grabosky, professor of ecology, evolution and natural resources. Grabosky can address the reasons for falling trees and the social and legal aspects of trees in u
