As part of their commitment to enhancing, developing and preserving the natural beauty of the Melrose Avenue campus, the Tryon Fine Arts Center has engaged arborist Alan Greene to help preserve and cultivate the campus trees during Phase I of the master site building plan.
“Besides having issues with insects and excessive ivy, some of the trees have become diseased and stressed over the years,” says TFAC President Rebecca Barnes. “We are working with an arborist who will help us make decisions that will keep the property beautiful for years to come and will protect the trees.”
Phase I of the master site plan focuses on the exterior of the property. Plans are in place to keep most of the existing trees and add 30 new ones, creating a community park for families and groups to gather to celebrate the arts and other events.
Landscape architect Mark Byington, creator of the TFAC plan, says, “Several noble trees have been selected for the project, including Overcup oak, swamp white oak, Princeton American elm, tulip poplar, tupelo and steeple sugar maple. These regionally native species and varieties were chosen for their climactic adaptability and dependability in terms of strong, uniform growth and disease and pest resistance.”
Tree work will begin in early June. Phase I is scheduled to be complete by March of 2013. More information regarding the TFAC project can be found at the project website:  www.tfacmasterplan.com or by calling 828-859-8322.
Tryon Fine Arts Center, located on Melrose Avenue in Tryon, has been a center for participation in the visual and performing arts for more than 43 years.
– article submitted
by Marianne Carruth