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A Tree Grows
At Waldemere
 While President and Mrs. Salonen's
future residence, Waldemere Hall, is getting an
inside face-lift, a remarkable full-sized cherry
tree in the circular driveway was the subject of
the first entry for the Earth Day Action contest.
Overwhelmed with vigorous new growth, the tree's
old structure needed support and doctoring of its
wounds. Old limbs had broken off, exposing the
tree's delicate core to the weather. As a result,
the main trunk had softened and was rotting out
from the inside. If left alone, the cherry tree
could have collapsed or died at any moment.
The classic Bonsai lines of this 100 year-old
tree inspired Letitia Laberee, a teacher with the
English Language Institute, and Bruce Laberee, a
licensed arborist, to enhance its beauty and
extend its life. With approval from Ed McCourt,
Director of Buildings and Grounds, they installed
supports for the horizontally growing trunk,
removed dead and overgrown branches, excavated a
rotten root, and pruned the tree. Removing a
long-dead portion of the original trunk revealed
an amazing honeycomb of healthy strong wood.
Letitia and Bruce also patched the trunk's open
wounds with concrete glue and gravel, sealing
moisture out of the tree's interior, much like a
Band-Aid. The cherry tree can now heal itself by
growing new bark over its wounds. Letitia and
Bruce not only stopped the tree's deterioration
but also extended the tree's life by another
twenty-five years.
In traditional bonsai style, Letitia and Bruce
embedded a rock in the ground under the tree
trunk's horizontal lean that has the same contour
of the overhang.
Other UB students and staff have until April 24th
to submit an essay about action taken to improve
the natural environment on the UB campus. Contact
Ed McCourt at 576-4620 for advice and possible
assistance with your project.
Due to a generous donation from President
Salonen, the Earth Day Action prizes have been
substantially increased: $400 for The President's
Prize, $200 for Second Prize, and $100 for Third
Prize.
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