2008 Woodie Awards
What are those mules doing at Hendrix?
Press Release
Issue date: 4/19/02 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Thinning the Pine Grove to the north and east of the Hendrix campus is a project that has been in the works for two years. Now, with the arrival of a two-mule team on April 8, the work has begun!
Harvesting trees is a tried and true principle of forestry management. "A managed pine grove must be harvested every so often to remove damaged and diseased trees, and trees that are in the way of healthier trees," explained Grounds Supervisor Johnny Koster. The Pine Grove at Hendrix is overdue to be harvested. Ice storms in recent years and infestation of insects have taken their toll.
Koster worked with the Forestry Service to tag the trees that will be removed, following the State Forestry Commission's specifications for harvesting trees. For the safety of the people who walk or jog on the trails in the Pine Grove, the trails east of the Mabee Center are closed until the project is completed. In the meantime, walkers and joggers are invited to use the paved exercise trail on the west side of the Mabee Center. "Danger/No Trespassing" signs have been posted around the periphery of the area as warnings.
"We didn't want to clear cut the trees, because we wanted to maintain the park-like setting of the Pine Grove," Koster said. "If we used tractors and skidders, they would knock down everything and make a big mess."
The alternative, which will be much less destructive to the environment of the campus, is to use draft power (i.e. the mule team) to remove the damaged trees. "With the draft team, there will only be one vehicle hauling the logs out," Koster said.
Larry Harlan of Heber Springs is providing a three-man team and the draft power for the project. One man will cut down the marked trees with a chain saw; one man will be skidding, which is hooking the mules up and loading the logs to go to the sawmill; and one man will drive the truck. A portable fence has been erected to house the mules behind the greenhouse.
The draft team will provide another plus for the Hendrix community and the central Arkansas community at large. "We want the process, which will take approximately three months of working days, to be an educational opportunity as well," Koster said.
One group of no more than 30 people will be allowed to visit the work site for a brief tour each weekday during the project, weather permitting. Koster will provide an overall review of the project to each group when it arrives, in a staging area that will be set up and flagged for that purpose. Then, Harlan will give a brief demonstration of logging with draft power.
"We will be contacting schools to invite them to visit the work site," Koster said. Other groups, such as scouting groups or draft clubs, will also be welcome.
The tours will be scheduled though Sheryl Hancock, Facilities secretary, on a first-come, first-served basis. To schedule a tour,contact Hancock at 501-450-1348.
Harvesting trees is a tried and true principle of forestry management. "A managed pine grove must be harvested every so often to remove damaged and diseased trees, and trees that are in the way of healthier trees," explained Grounds Supervisor Johnny Koster. The Pine Grove at Hendrix is overdue to be harvested. Ice storms in recent years and infestation of insects have taken their toll.
Koster worked with the Forestry Service to tag the trees that will be removed, following the State Forestry Commission's specifications for harvesting trees. For the safety of the people who walk or jog on the trails in the Pine Grove, the trails east of the Mabee Center are closed until the project is completed. In the meantime, walkers and joggers are invited to use the paved exercise trail on the west side of the Mabee Center. "Danger/No Trespassing" signs have been posted around the periphery of the area as warnings.
"We didn't want to clear cut the trees, because we wanted to maintain the park-like setting of the Pine Grove," Koster said. "If we used tractors and skidders, they would knock down everything and make a big mess."
The alternative, which will be much less destructive to the environment of the campus, is to use draft power (i.e. the mule team) to remove the damaged trees. "With the draft team, there will only be one vehicle hauling the logs out," Koster said.
Larry Harlan of Heber Springs is providing a three-man team and the draft power for the project. One man will cut down the marked trees with a chain saw; one man will be skidding, which is hooking the mules up and loading the logs to go to the sawmill; and one man will drive the truck. A portable fence has been erected to house the mules behind the greenhouse.
The draft team will provide another plus for the Hendrix community and the central Arkansas community at large. "We want the process, which will take approximately three months of working days, to be an educational opportunity as well," Koster said.
One group of no more than 30 people will be allowed to visit the work site for a brief tour each weekday during the project, weather permitting. Koster will provide an overall review of the project to each group when it arrives, in a staging area that will be set up and flagged for that purpose. Then, Harlan will give a brief demonstration of logging with draft power.
"We will be contacting schools to invite them to visit the work site," Koster said. Other groups, such as scouting groups or draft clubs, will also be welcome.
The tours will be scheduled though Sheryl Hancock, Facilities secretary, on a first-come, first-served basis. To schedule a tour,contact Hancock at 501-450-1348.
Be the first to comment on this story