Have you ever noticed maintenance workers mowing the grass or working on the roof of buildings during school? As the seasons change at Summerville, the school’s maintenance crew has been taking care of the campus.
Maintenance Operator and Transportation Director, Gilbert Hammerbeck commented on his experience working on Summerville’s campus.
“So I’m in charge of facilities, grounds and anything that’s on wheels… I have worked here for five years and I love it. I was at Sonora High for eight years before that,” Hammerbeck stated.
As students returned to school from Thanksgiving break, many noticed the trees near the gym had been cut down to the trunk. Many had different opinions on the trees being trimmed.
Freshman J.J Swanson guessed on the reasoning behind chopping the trees and expressed his opinion on their new look.
“Well, I think they look amazing… I would think they were cut to make more room and probably because it’s becoming winter,” Swanson said.
On the other hand, junior Olivia DeMuth was not a fan.
“The trees look like broccoli and cauliflower. Apparently it’s like healthy for them, but it doesn’t look that great. I have beef. Can they glue it back on?”
Hammerbeck also commented on the trees and their background, giving an explanation as to why they need to be cut each year.
“Those are called Fruitless Mulberries… They are a great shade tree during the spring and fall and the rest of the time they are supposed to be cut back. There are usually three knobs on each one and they are supposed to be cut down to that [length],” Hammerbeck stated.
He went on to explain the repercussions of neglecting to cut the tree.
“They’ll fall down. They are really soft wood, that’s what they are. They’re not the best trees but people love them because they are one of those top root fast growing trees. You’ll see them growing all the time in yards and animals love them,” Hammerback said.

Sophomore Ben Diamond, along with many of Summerville’s students will be glad to know that the trees will be back to their old selves in just a few months. Diamond described his thoughts on the branches being cut.