Lawn, Field, and Tree Care

Wesleyan has reduced chemical weed control on all campus grounds for crabgrass and grub control. In an effort to continue to minimize pesticide use, the campus is divided into 3 separate categories.  These areas include; No Treatment, Synthetic Treatment, and the Athletic Field areas.  All areas are maintained by Stonehedge Landscaping. Wesleyan's Grounds Sustainability Policy has more detailed information on the practices that we have committed to regarding campus grounds maintenance.  

No Treatment Areas

Butterfields, Home/Brainerd/Miles neighborhood, Fountain/Pine neighborhood, West Side of Mt. Vernon Avenue, High Rise dorm, Neighborhood Preschools on High St. and Lawn Ave., Tennis Courts, College of the Environment

• No pre or post-emergent herbicides for crabgrass or other weeds
• No insecticides for grub control

Synthetic Treatment Areas

Remainder of campus excluding the athletic fields, including the Rugby Field

• Polyon (polyurethane-coated slow-release fertilizer) is applied in granular form in spring (30-0-7) and fall (26-0-10)
• Dimension (crabgrass herbicide) is applied in granular form in the spring and/or early summer 
• Surge (herbicide) is applied in early summer
• Lontrel (herbicide) is applied in early summer
• Acelepryn (grub insecticide) is applied in granular form in early summer 

Athletic Field Areas

All athletic fields, excluding the Rugby field

• The IPM program for athletic fields is continually changing based on environmental pressures
• Wesleyan maintains fields most strictly for player safety and field playability, with a high priority placed on field appearance
• Dimension is applied in granular form in the early spring as a crabgrass preventative
• Other fungicides, herbicides and grub control are used on an as needed basis (may be granular or liquid)

Trees

Tree removal

• Grounds posts a sign on the tree signifying that the tree is scheduled to be removed.  This usually includes an approximate date for removal. 
• A photo and description of the tree goes on the campus tree blog and includes the reason for removal. 

• When funding is available, and it has every year in recent history, excluding 2020, Grounds plants at least one tree for every tree removed. 
• A draft planting map is created every round of plantings (usually Fall and Spring).  

If you have questions about tree, lawn, and field care practices or to be added to the notification list for chemical applications, please contact Grounds Manager Victor Diaz.