The sudden storm in early November brought a momentary scare to the Sacramento State campus community.

A 23 year-old female student was taken to the hospital when she was struck by a falling branch near the east side of Eureka Hall. She sustained injuries to her head and left hand.

In the end, three vehicles were damaged and two roadway blockage incidents occurred as a result of falling branches and severed portions of trees.

“The university?s position states it is not liable for acts of God, such as falling branches,” said Sac State Risk Manager Steve Somsen.

Somsen said this has been a long-standing decision that has not changed since he began employment in this department nearly two years ago.

As part of the job requirement, Facilities Management is always on full alert with this issue.

“We try to mitigate the liability potential by constantly assessing the status of the trees on campus,” said Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Mathew Altier.

Altier said the primary concentration is on the parking lot, walkways, and trees surrounding lights. Director of Custodial & Grounds Services Mario Ruiz, inspects trees every year.

Ruiz checks the trees for evidence, such as constant loss of branches, and structural integrity to determine what the next line of action will be.

The winter months provide ample time for inspection while the leaves are dormant.

“Trees are a lot like humans; they will always have some kind of physical weakness,” said Ruiz.

In addition to observation, Ruiz calls in an arborist to take core samples to determine the health of the trees. The signs of a dying tree are not always apparent from the outside appearance. With more species of trees than Ruiz has ever encountered, core samples become the best tool for deciding the fate of a tree.

Tree maintenance can range from a basic trimming to complete removal.

A rare specie of tree, the pinuspinea can be seen in front of Douglass Hall, easily identifiable among the sea of trees. With a diagonally growing trunk and limbs draping over the walkway as if they were preparing to seize the next passing student, the pinuepinea was fitted for two bracing rods. The rods prevent the tree from growing out into the walkway while preserving the rare tree.

The University of California in Berkeley has a line of pinuspinea on a sloping hillside, connected by wire in order to maintain growth integrity. The tree which is prone to dangling growth, is still popular on many college campuses.

Some students applaud the measures taken by Facilities Management.

“I like the scenery, but the safety of the campus community takes precedence,” said returning student Deidre Kennelly.

Tree removal only occurs when a disease or damage inflicted upon a tree overcomes the tree?s ability to live.

This was the situation recently with a tree removed by Sacramento Hall.

The tree had all of the visual characteristics of health, but core samples revealed just the opposite.

“Mother nature takes care of the trees and everything else out here through the use of wind, rain, sunlight,” said Ruiz. “That tends to be enough in most cases.”