As the seasons change, leaves may not be the only things falling from the trees on WSU’s Greek Row.

The hundreds of shoes that adorn two large trees outside of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity house are also slated for removal by the city, signifying the end of a tradition for the fraternity for many individuals.

Shoes are thrown into two trees standing outside of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity on Oak Street every Dec. 10, which is Founder’s Day for the chapter. One member said the tradition started around 1987, though no current members know why or how it began.

“The trees are a symbol for us,” Delta Sigma Phi President Ryan Coumont said. “They represent our brotherhood, and throwing the shoes is a way for us to come together and celebrate our membership.” A series of complaints from residents of College Hill identified the trees as a violation of Pullman’s nuisance ordinance. The complaints stated that the shoes create an unsightly appearance and have become an eyesore to residents of College Hill. Exact sources of the complaints cannot be identified, due to privacy reasons.

Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson said there are also safety issues associated with the trees because shoes sometimes land on or near power lines. Johnson also said the shoe trees are unsightly.

“College students should have standards, too,” he said.

The loss of the shoe trees is not only the loss of a tradition for Delta Sigma Phi, but also the loss of a Pullman landmark, said senior history major Erin Dunn, a member of the Greek community.

“Traditions are what keeps the Greek community going so strong. I love the Delta Sigma Phi shoe trees because they are a visual demonstration of strong traditions,” she said. “They’re a fun way to connect with members of every generation.” The tree incident represents the struggle that many Greek houses face between being good neighbors to College Hill’s residential community while still trying to maintain Greek traditions, said Samantha Armstrong, assistant director of the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life.

The center encourages all sororities and fraternities to maintain a positive relationship with the residents of College Hill, she said. Armstrong said it is in Delta Sigma Phi’s best interest to develop new traditions to set a trend in the neighborhood.

“We understand that the fraternity values the tradition and history associated with the tree,” Armstrong said. “For some, the tree represents times gone by, a work of art, college students having fun. For others, it is an eyesore bringing down the property value and making the neighborhood look even more rundown.” In an effort to work with the Pullman community, Coumont says the men of Delta Sigma Phi will not be continuing their shoe-throwing tradition this Founder’s Day after the shoes are removed.

“It’s like the end of an era for us,” he said. “Maybe we’ll have to come up with a new tradition, but it’s sad.”