Protecting public trees from needless removal has always been a priority for the city of Kent, but declining tree health will force removal of the pear trees downtown.
Crews will remove and replace trees along First Avenue South between West Meeker and West Titus streets.
City arborist Quientin Poil said the decades-old trees are in bad shape.
“This is a mismatch between the trees and the environment they need,” Poil said in a city media release. “Because of their declining health, these are highly susceptible to broken limbs during storms, making them a hazard to pedestrians and parked cars when branches extend over sidewalks.”
Like many of the city’s street trees, the trees were planted several decades ago.
“Our predecessors planted these trees because they’re attractive when they bloom and they are urban tolerant,” said Poil. “Now that they’re failing years later, we see it wasn’t such a good idea.”
Poil is aware the concern that tree removal causes, and as an arborist, is sympathetic to the desire for healthy, attractive trees in the city.
“That’s why the pear trees will be replaced with more columnar, easy-to-maintain Golden Maples and Tulip trees,” Poil said.
Tree removal will begin Oct. 17 and is scheduled between 8 a.m. and noon on weekdays to minimize the impacts to businesses along First Avenue. The new trees will be planted in the existing tree pits in early November.
Motorists should expect parking stall closures while the work is underway. Pedestrians should expect sidewalk closures; however, businesses will be open and access maintained.
The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment problems or emergency situations.
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