Wytheville Community College (WCC) is getting a fresh look this summer with the planting of 160 new green giant arborvitae trees that highlight the entry to the college and the scenic 2.4-mile walking trail at Wytheville’s campus at 1000 East Main Street.
As part of the beautification project, the initiative aims to enhance the natural environment for students, faculty, and the local community. The green giant arborvitae trees will provide year-long greenery for all who visit the college.
Last year, WCC removed diseased and dead trees along the entrance driveway to the campus. WCC worked with a certified arborist that diagnosed the trees with Seiridium canker, a fungal disease that poses a significant risk to the health of the tree population. Seiridium canker affects a variety of tree species. It can weaken and eventually kill infected trees, posing a safety hazard to students, employees, and visitors. These diseased trees were removed and a new plan for replanting was put into place.
In addition to the work done along the entrance to the campus, WCC raised the tree canopies along the back half of the walking trail. This thinning of the lower branches significantly improved visibility and the aesthetics of the area, making for a more enjoyable walk around the trail and pond.
These makeovers were a collaborative effort, with a combination of WCC maintenance staff, WCC Workforce faculty, and third-party vendors who planned, excavated, pruned, and planted, laying the groundwork (literally) for the campus update.
The trail, which winds through the heart of campus and circles a fully stocked pond open to the public, is a favorite destination for walkers, runners, and nature enthusiasts. These projects not only enhance the college’s aesthetic appeal but also encourage community members to visit and enjoy the trail and pond area as the new landscape takes root.
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Pictured: Tree Replanting by WCC maintenance staff, WCC Workforce faculty, and third-party vendors