A heated debate is springing up at
A plan to expand the school could mean the end of the road for a beloved tree. It’s a tree that’s taken root in the lives of generations of Fresnans.
The deodar cedar is located on the north side of campus along
Some arborists believe it is a hundred years old.
New classrooms and a new library and offices are scheduled to be built on that spot.
Lights still hang on the tree from the most recent holiday season.
Fresno High Junior Danielle Copeland was at the tree lighting in December.
“We have a big pot luck in front of Royce hall and drink hot chocolate and hang out around the tree,” Copeland said.
The cedar has been on campus for generations of students.
It can be seen in pictures from 1935, 1965, and in pictures from the 1970s.
But the tree is scheduled to come down to make way for new classrooms, a library and offices.
“I have been across the street from this tree for 22 years and I've been watching it thrive,” said Norm Pimentel who owns a business across
Fresno High’s principal briefed neighbors and alumni on the construction project at a meeting Wednesday night.
“This is something that will really enhance
The district has held public hearings. But some neighbors hadn’t heard about the plans to cut the tree down.
“Some of the concern not only with the community but the student body is that tradition is going to be lost,” said one woman.
Judy Aguilar jogs by the cedar regularly. “It's something pretty to see and during Christmas they light it up and it's the start of Christmas tree lane,” Aguilar said.
From the Fresno High tree, you can see other deodar cedars up
The principal says it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to work around the tree.
The district plans to plant dozens of trees to replace the ones that are removed.
Construction on the new buildings is scheduled to begin in May.