SMH team working to save large spruce tree on hospital campus

The large spruce trees in front of Sheridan Memorial Hospital have stood the test of time. According to the hospital, for the past 64 years they have been the cornerstone of the medical campus and played a part in many celebrations. 

Recently, one of the trees contracted a disease that caused its needles to drop and defoliate on one side of the tree. According to SMH Facility Grounds Keeping Supervisor Brian Kirven, SMH has consulted and contracted with a licensed tree specialist to work to bring the tree back to 100% health. 

“The process involves soil injection products, foliage applications, and other methods to correct and stop a further die back of the tree,” Kirven said. “There is no guarantee this care will restore the spruce tree to 100% health. However, we are confident with the early detection, intervention, correct products and the use of professional arborist methods of treatments, the spruce tree has a great chance of recovery.”

The trees have been the focus point of the SMH Auxiliary’s Trees of Love efforts for the past 32 years. Helping the community by displaying the lights community members have used to honor or commemorate loved ones.

“They are beautiful trees and an essential part of our annual Trees of Love celebration,” Development Coordinator for SMH Jasmine Slater said. “We’re grateful to have such a talented team working on these efforts.”

Local resident, Sandy Michelena, was one of two people who planted the trees in front of the “new” hospital back in 1957.

“Tom Haiston and I were asked by Al Green, SMH groundskeeper at the time, to plant the trees,” Michelena said. “We were both boarding at Al’s home and playing basketball for Sheridan College. He hired us for the day to acquire a few trees and to plant them in front of the hospital.”

Michelena went on to say, “It has been great to watch them grow over the years and to be able to tell my kids I helped plant those trees. I take pride in knowing I helped get them started.”

Kirven says every effort is being made to restore the tree, but “only time will tell” if the efforts will be successful.