The decline is ultimately attributed to excess water retention and soil compaction in the root zone. Over recent years, Friendship Oak has reduced top growth to balance with the loss of root quality. “The primary goal of the project has been to remediate the soil condition to benefit the tree roots. Southeastern’s Physical Plant Services also collaborated with other organizations, including Bob’s Tree Preservation and Nursery, to accomplish some of the restoration objectives including root drainage, removing compacted mulch and adding wood chips underneath the canopy. The project began in the Fall of 2022 and is headed by Assistant Director of Physical Plant Services Carlos Doolittle with help from consulting arborists, Dr. Friendship Oak, a well-recognized symbol at SLU for decades, is still undergoing a preservation initiative.
