An approximately 100-foot tall eucalyptus tree fell just north of the Price Center Loop at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night amid winds gusting upwards of 30 mph. No injuries or damage was reported, according to UC San Diego’s Associate Director of University Communications, Leslie Sepuka.
Manny Rodriguez, a second-year Structural Engineering major, was in office hours at Price Center when he heard the tree fall.
“Me and a co-worker heard a big thud outside,” Rodriguez said in an interview with The Triton. “We thought it was just someone dropping a box.”
About 30 minutes after hearing the noise, Rodriguez walked outside to find the tree blocking the sidewalk leading to Warren College.
Community Service Officials, Facilities Management employees, and a representative from Price Center were seen cordoning off the area around the tree and instructing pedestrians to go around it.
Aaron Mahoney, a Facilities Management employee, was one of the first on scene of the fallen tree.
“We were actually just finishing up clearing out another street that was … by the dance theater,” Mahoney shared with The Triton, referring to another tree that fell. “This one was at least three times the size.”
Sepuka noted that additional trees may fall in the coming days. “Given the amount of rain we have already received this season, the soil is saturated, which causes the root systems to become compromised and more prone to failure,” Sepuka stated in an email to The Triton.
Students were seen climbing the tree shortly after it fell, according to Mahoney. If students come across downed trees, they’re advised to contact Facilities Management at (858) 534-2930 during business hours (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays) or (858) 534-2930 after business hours.
By Thursday morning, the tree had been cleared from the sidewalk.
Liam Winstead is an Assistant News Editor for The Triton.