TEXARKANA -- The removal of two long-standing oak trees on the Arkansas High School campus has begun.
The trees are on Jefferson Avenue in front of the high school gymnasium.
"After an in-depth analysis, it was determined that the trees have reached their life cycle and are diseased," a Facebook post by the Texarkana School District stated.
Removal of the trees is part of an effort to enhance curb appeal at the campus and make way for a larger landscaping project, Principal Michael Odom said.
"These are two trees that are nearing the end of their life cycle," Odom said. "This is part of a larger project to bring uniformity to the campus. If we remove those trees, we can sod underneath them, and it also makes way for the planting of additional trees on campus -- maple, cypress, dogwoods -- a lot of different trees to really enhance our curb appeal."
Odom said the decision was not only to improve uniformity and aesthetics on campus, but was a matter of safety.
"We don't want those trees to fall on the gym," he said. "They're pretty close, and we've lost some big limbs the past couple years. There's a couple reasons to remove these, but it is part of a larger landscaping project."
The project reportedly calls for recommending that anywhere from 20-30 trees be plant on campus.
Not all Texarkana School Board members were thrilled about the decision to remove the trees. The trees carry a certain amount of historical significance, but ultimately the board members understood the necessity of their removal.
"It pains me to see those trees go because I sat under them over 50 years ago, before I walked home after practice," board Vice President Jesse Buchanan said.
Robin Hickerson, assistant superintendent for secondary education, said administration officials mulled over the matter for a long period before deciding to take action.
Ultimately, during a December meeting, the School Board approved the trees' removal.
The tree removal, stump and root grinding and removal of debris is being done by Naren's Tree Care at a cost of $9,975.00. Money for the removal will come from the district's magnet grant funds.