Every university should have these kind of problems
B' Spokes: First let me congratulate UMD for getting to this point of "too many" bikes. This is a great accomplishment and one they should feel proud of. This is good news!
From a campus arborist, ". The real concern is that the bike(s) will scar or damage the bark. Once the tree is damaged the tree must overcome that wound and there is the possibility the wounds can be so severe that the tree can die. There is also added foot compaction to the soil around the tree which limits the productivity of the roots. Overall it is best to keep items that cause mechanical damage away from the trees. "
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151076582051497&set=o.113115015368119&type=1&relevant_count=1
I'm sorry but saying there is a danger to trees from bikes parking against it is like saying there is a danger of bleeding to death from a paper cut. Granted I am not an expert here but the "dangers" of soil compaction caused by bikes has come up in various bike meetings and those in the know have always refuted the idea.
Don't get me wrong I love trees! And if there was adequate bike parking this would not be an issue. But some perspective is needed here: 1 bike replaces 1 car but it takes 250 trees to makes 1 car carbon neutral. I hate to sound snobbish here but bikes are saving the planet, so simple and yet they do so much, so their use should be encouraged, not discouraged!
In my previous critic of UMD bike parking regulations I strongly encouraged "If cyclists become such a "problem" then that shows that they need more accommodations" and they responded noting that they earned " Bronze level Bicycle Friendly University" from the League of American Bicyclists... well let's look at that:
The League of American Bicyclists has designated University of Maryland- College Park as a Bicycle Friendly University at the bronze level. ... Four significant measures the university should take to improve cycling in the campus are:
* Increase the amount of secure bicycle parking throughout the campus. We encourage you to expand the parking so that each commuter has a secure spot to park a bike and parking is placed in areas around campus according to demand. In addition, implement an ordinance that requires bike parking. Ensure that bicycle parking adheres to APBP standards.
...
http://bikeumd.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/league-of-american-bicycles-bicycle-friendly-university-feedback/
So again, more bike parking please.
I'll parenthetically add in all my travels I have only seen one tree that looked liked it was damaged by a bike and it's here (the tree nearest the entrance.) Of course you can't see the damage in the Google Maps photo and that's my point. Sure I would like to avoid such damage but the odds of it resulting in the death of a tree are slim IMHO, especially if the use of a tree for bike parking is not prolonged by adding more secure bike parking in that location.