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Storm takes a toll at Dawes Arboretum




JACKSONTOWN- Dawes Arboretum Public Relations Director Laura Appleman said Dawes lost roughly 150 trees during Friday evening’s intense storm.

About half of those trees were considered “collection” trees, uniquely important to Dawes, including blue spruce and weeping Japanese pines.

“We definitely took a hit,” said Appleman, who added that as of Tuesday most of Dawes still lacked electricity and phone service. She wasn’t sure how many trees Dawes lost from its trails that are off the main grounds, but many trails were shut down to assess the damage. Appleman said the auto tour remains open, although it’s closed occasionally as the clean-up effort continues.

Appleman said some Dawes employees were on the grounds during the storm. “I guess it was very scary,” she said, with flying tree branches falling on or near parked vehicles. Appleman said Dawes’ concert stage was damaged. “We’re working around it,” she said, adding that the scheduled performances are expected to continue as planned for the time being. Appleman said there were two weddings planned for the Saturday following the storm, one of which was canceled.

Even without power, Appleman said the arboretum still welcomes visitors. “We don’t need electric to look at trees,” she said.



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