The oaks at Toomer's Corner received a sugar boost March 26. Cortese Trees Specialists, a tree service from Knoxville, Tenn., drilled a series of 49 small ports around the base of the oaks. A carbohydrate-rich mix of fructose, glucose and sucrose sugars were injected through a reservoir.
The sugar is necessary because the herbicide in the trees is blocking the photosynthesis reactions necessary for the cells in the leaves to grow.
According to Gary Keever, professor of horticulture, in addition to the sugar injections March 26, they fertilized again March 28, collected soil samples from the oak beds, beneath the plaza, and into Samford Park March 29 and drenched the Toomer's Oaks beds with a root growth stimulant March 30.
"It was a busy week, but we are determined to implement practices to prolong the life of the trees provided the potential benefits outweigh any potential negative effects," Keever said.
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