Stockbridge students build walkway near Bartlett

Stockbridge School students, under the supervision of faculty member Mike Davidsohn, are building a brick pathway between Bartlett and Memorial halls around the Carruthers oak tree planted by the Stockbridge Class of 1938.

Pam Monn, assistant director for Building and Grounds at Physical Plant, sought Davidsohn’s assistance with landscape problems near the historic tree. According to Davidsohn, a path worn through the turf under the tree was compacting the soil, which would lead to root damage and eventually kill the oak.

“My solution was to design a walk that would minimally impact the roots and reduce soil compaction,” he said.

Davidsohn, who is a faculty member in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, turned to the students in his “Construction Materials” lab section, part of the Landscape Contracting Program he coordinates at Stockbridge. “Every year these students build a landscape project under my direction on campus,” he said. “This walk was a perfect project for us.”

Working with Construction Services and Landscape Services staff, the area was initially excavated with a backhoe and then by hand to leave as many roots as possible, said Davidsohn.

“We backfilled with a fine crushed stone and are setting the unit pavers on that,” he said. “This will allow water to easily pass through the walk to roots, air and gasses to exchange readily in and out of the soil and reduce soil compaction.”

The walk will be complete by the last week of classes, Davidsohn said.

Photos courtesy of Mike Davidsohn

April 27, 2009.

E-mail story to a friendPrinter-friendly version

/more talking points/