The take down
As of June 30, 2022, the painted tree on the Sturges quad will be removed. Due to much controversy regarding its presence, last Wednesday’s campus meeting voted to remove the tree this summer. The tree has been an iconic Geneseo symbol since the tradition of painting it began back in the 60s, but many administrators feel it is time for it to come down for good.
As a result of many organizations feuding over the messages that should be displayed on it, the tree will be cut down over the course of about a week. The green in which it sits will additionally be off-limits until the winter to eliminate the chances of any students attempting to salvage the past.
Directly across from the painted tree is the Seuss Spruce, which may potentially be removed as well. When asked why, campus maintenance crew member Jeff Bichel explained, “It is a real health concern. It was shaped by an ice storm, and nothing is to say that another ice storm couldn’t completely snap it in half and seriously injure someone.”
If the Seuss Spruce was to come down, it would occur slightly after the painted tree, in order to allow for the campus community to mentally and emotionally adjust to the altered landscape.
There have been petitions around campus to allow the trees to remain as they are, including plans to actually paint the tree with the words “Once painted, always painted; save our tree.”
It is currently planned that a “community bulletin board” will stand in place of the painted tree. The intentions of the board would be to encourage community engagement, all the while not presenting the same challenges the painted tree did. The bulletin board would require an online reservation prior to any activity. While similar in principle, the bulletin board would prevent any undesired messages, as it would be protected behind a glass barrier, preventing anyone who isn’t registered from altering it.
While there is no consensus among the student body, many understand the significance of the tree. Student Larry Lipillar said, “I hate to see it go, I really do, but what can you do? I just feel bad for future students who won’t be able to participate in this Geneseo tradition.”
If the tree is to go, some of its lumber would be stored in the campus archives where it would be preserved for future graduating classes to view.
There is no doubt the Geneseo community has an attachment to both of these trees, so their removal won’t come without backlash. While there are various ways a student is able to communicate a message, many feel there is nothing more powerful than doing so on the classic painted tree, but as it stands, they will need to find an alternative way to do so.