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from the issue of November 30, 2006
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Foxes enlisted to protect evergreens
BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Kirby Baird's job stinks.
| | SEASONAL SPRAY - Kirby Baird, landscape services manager for City Campus, applies the mixture of fox urine, water and glycerin to evergreens on the west side of Othmer Hall on Nov. 21. Baird said about two gallons of the fox urine is used to protect City Campus trees from holiday vandals. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.
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For the last two decades, Baird (and other Landscape Services employees) have performed a job that curls nose hairs and - hopefully - curtails would-be Christmas tree thieves.
"We spray every evergreen, basically 20-feet tall and smaller, with a mixture of fox urine just before Thanksgiving break," said Baird, landscape services manager for City Campus. "This is something we've done for the last 20 years or so to protect the trees from being cut down."
The idea started after students in Abel Hall cut the top out of a 20-foot Ponderosa pine. The culprits were nabbed thanks to tree ring identification, and served 50 community service hours each, mainly on campus trash details.
While satisfied with the apprehension, Landscape Services workers looked for an effective method to protect evergreens through the holiday season. And, Mother Nature stepped forward.
"I don't remember exactly where we found this idea to use fox urine," Baird said. "But, it's very inexpensive and really effective."
The fox urine is shipped to UNL from a furrier. It is mixed with water and glycerin then sprayed on the trees.
"It's something the UPS guy doesn't like to deliver," Baird said. "One year, when he delivered it, the lid was not taped up so well. You could really smell it through the package."
The odor only turns noses when temperatures climb over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if a tree is cut down and taken indoors, heat activates the smelly concoction.
"If you bring one of these trees inside, you could not stand the smell," Baird said. "It's like opening a door to a port-a-potty that hasn't been opened for awhile. Or, like a kitty litter box long overdue for cleaning."
In the years since the seasonal spraying began, Landscape Services has lost only a handful of trees to holiday vandals.
"We place tags on evergreens as a final warning," Baird said. "And, we are publicizing this because we don't want people cutting down or ruining trees that cost us a lot of money."
The replacement cost of a six-foot evergreen is $300 to $400.
But, don't worry about holding your nose come spring. Baird said the mixture is designed to last about two months.
"That's just enough time to get us through the holiday season," Baird said. "But, you may not want to sit under an evergreen tree on the south side of a building during a warm day for the next couple of months."
GO TO: ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 30
NEWS HEADLINES FOR NOVEMBER 30
Husker Chess
Campus closures go digital
First Gen-Ed proposals sent to colleges
Osborne returns to classroom
Class earns hands on experience
Foxes enlisted to protect evergreens
Hollestelle retrospective opens Dec. 1 at Morrill Hall
Scientists urged to 'dream big,' collaborate
UNLPD seek information on City Campus vandalism
732645S36479X
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