Beau Rivage casino attempts to save dying magnolia trees

Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000 | 8:56 a.m.

Trees experts are attempting to save several of the magnolias, while trying to keep others alive. Artificial leaves have been used to keep the branches looking lush until the casino determines what to do.

"A series of experts are looking at them right now and looking at the options," Beau Rivage spokesman Andy Bourland said. "We have modified and altered a variety of different (things), including the lighting, watering and fertilizing. The key emphasis was on the lighting."

The trees are just an added problem for the $670 million resort. Some Beau Rivage workers are upset over pay and working conditions and are pushing to establish a union.

Mirage Resorts, which owns the Biloxi casino, has also admitted the resort's financial performance has been lackluster since opening in March.

Casino officials are hopeful this lastest problem can be corrected.

"It's like a critical-care operation in there," said Tom Cox, owner of Houston, Texas-based Environmental Design, the company that transplanted the trees. "My guess is that they will continue working on it, and one day those trees will be lush and full."

The grove of 13 trees, planted in November 1998, is augmented with large beds of living flowers that are changed regularly. The impressive trees, denizens of the Deep South, have not done well in the same climate that keeps gamblers comfortable.

"They have soil-borne fungus that has led to some root rot," Cox said. The fungus lives on all magnolias, but damages the trees only when they become stressed, he said.

Irregular lighting and planting flowers in beds around the trees may have caused stress, Cox said, adding that Beau Rivage has spared no expense or effort to help the trees.

Beau Rivage officials hope to save the trees, but replacing them is an option, Bourland said.

"We think the magnolias provide a dramatic and wonderful reflection of the South," Bourland said. "We're looking at every option we can come up with to save them."