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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Crews will remove and replace trees along First Avenue South between West Meeker and West Titus streets.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
City arborist Quientin Poil said the decades-old trees are in bad shape.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Like many of the city’s street trees, the trees were planted several decades ago.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“That’s why the pear trees will be replaced with more columnar, easy-to-maintain Golden Maples and Tulip trees,” Poil said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Motorists should expect parking stall closures while the work is underway. Pedestrians should expect sidewalk closures; however, businesses will be open and access maintained.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment problems or emergency situations.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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