Trees to be removed in Hills from area around Hugo Goehle gym

Eleven ash trees located around the former Hills-Beaver Creek High School gymnasium will be removed and the other 15 trees examined for healthiness.
The H-BC building committee recommended the action at their Wednesday, Feb. 5, meeting.
Mike Davis of Luverne will remove the trees and the stumps for $1,195.
“It will give the other trees a chance,” he said.
The majority of the 11 trees to be removed are dead or have cracked trunks. The removal of those trees will provide better light and growing conditions for the other healthier trees nearby.
The trees are of varying ages.
“We are thinking some of the trees could be original to the Goehle gym,” said Superintendent Todd Holthaus.
The former school was built in 1921.
In exchange for the removal of trees at the Hugo Goehle gymnasium, a windbreak will be planted at the high school on the northwest edge of Hills.
Holthaus, building committee members Tim Bosch, Ethan Rozeboom and Dan LaRock, along with grounds director Chris Harnack discussed the Jan. 17 blizzard.
The blowing snow from the open areas around the high school blew snow over the entrance to the south-facing school parking lot.
Harnack explained that the large snowdrifts that formed from the northwesterly winds would have hindered any emergency vehicle response to the school.
School was not in session Jan. 17.
The new grove on the northwest side of school is intended to hold snow away from the street to the school.
The new grove of evergreen and willow trees will also hinder erosion from the school property to the nearby waterway.
The new trees will be order through the Rock County Land Management Office in Luverne.
H-BC School Board canceled their planned Feb. 10 school board meeting.
The board next meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24.