We are devastated to share the news that a common, disastrous disease that affects California bay laurels has plagued our beloved Bay Tree. Sudden Oak Death (SOD), which often necessitates removal of the infected tree, is caused by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. This disease has had devastating effects on coastal forests in California and Oregon. The pathogen also infects flowers like rhododendrons and camellias. Phytophthora ramorum was inadvertently introduced to California’s forests due to nursery stock, which is young greenery. It is considered an invasive species and is quarantined in over sixty countries.
While sitting under the Bay Tree during her AP Environmental Science class, senior Willow T. Ree noticed bleeding cankers—a thick, reddish-brown or black ooze—on the trunk of the tree. She states that they were learning about tree diseases and noticed the symptom right away.
Unfortunately, the school has decided that it is not worth it to nurse the Bay Tree back to health. The infection can be viral, meaning that there is a risk of it spreading—and none of us want oozing cankers. So the Saint Francis board of staff voted and decided that the tree will be taken down on April 1. With this heart-breaking news, we have decided that it is pertinent to interview some teachers and students about their favorite memories of the Bay Tree.
Sophomore Douglas Fir said that, while his time with the Bay Tree has not been very long, he will miss its beauty overlooking the track. As a track star, Fir states that the Bay Tree has become his good luck charm while racing: he always looks toward the Bay Tree and winks at it before a race. In his first season, Fir consistently placed first, other than the one time that he didn’t wink at the tree and placed second.
Milhouse van Houten, a science teacher, was frankly distraught at the news. “I’ve been using the leaves for my homemade bolognese sauce. What am I going to do now? Just use sauce from a jar?”
While many are saddened by this news, others do not share the sentiment. Some are even ecstatic about the removal of the tree. Ms. Dominique Salapare, an English teacher, states that she hates looking out of the window of her classroom and seeing the “ridiculously large tree.” She would rather see the view of the field, stating that there is enough nature there already, and the removal of the Bay Tree would not change anything. Because no other teacher wants to chop the tree down, Ms. Salapare volunteered and got the job! She is excited to execute the arboricide herself and has already prepared for it: “I will bring my own electric saw from home.”
While feelings might be mixed, there will be a memorial for the Bay Tree, which has consistently served as a Saint Francis symbol for decades. Please come join us on April 1 at 10AM for a final look at the tree and the Saint Francis alma mater. There will be tree-shaped cupcakes and tree burgers being served.
The Bay Tree will forever live in Saint Francis High School history.
