University Stadium’s Beloved Shade Tree Damaged In Recent Storm

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It’s there in every picture you see of University Stadium, right there in the southeast corner of the stadium.  A giant Cottonwood tree that has provided shade for thousands upon thousands f fans over most of the course of University Stadium’s lifetime, since the 1980s.  However, when the 2022 season kicks off on September 3 at University Stadium, the Cottonwood shade tree will be missing.

University Stadium’s beloved Cottonwood tree was irrevocably damaged by the wind and rainstorm on the night of Monday, August 22, with the tree splitting in two.  The recent monsoon winds, combined with the decay inside the trunk base of the tree, led to instability.  The inner decay was clearly visible in the tree’s split.  After consultation with experts including Alan Billau, UNM’s Supervisor of Arborculture, the tree will be removed on Tuesday, August 30 due to the potential safety hazards associated with the damage.

The tree is “showing signs of decay in the root crown,” said Billau.  The split in the tree is at the base where the tree enters into the ground, and it forced the northern half of the tree to fall onto the grass slope.  The remaining half of the tree is also splitting and has been deemed unsafe to remain.  Billau recommended the removal happen prior to the opening game.

“It’s truly a sad day having to remove our Cottonwood tree due to the damage, but the safety of our fans will always come first,” said Director of Athletics/Vice President Eddie Nuñez.  “We looked into any possible way to save a portion of the tree, but the damage was just too severe.”