The Observation Deck

Can you guess what's missing?



The large lovely spruce trees that constituted a forest of their own, sighing in the wind, meeting overhead providing shade, smelling like Christmas all year long in front of the church next to The Root (I think it's a Latvian church) are gone. What a huge loss for this corner.

I wish I had a picture of them. I didn't realize I wouldn't be able to see them anymore.

Why cut them down? I don't know. The church is being remodeled, the trees didn't appear to be in the way, they did not appear to be ill. Maybe our Observer arborist will comment.

I just came on to mark the passing of more old friends: We loved you. You simply made our life better. We didn't know you were going to be killed. Goodbye.

Another subtraction of the "wood" from Lakewood.

Betsy Voinovich

I believe there was an issue with them. I'm certain that the arborist mentioned knows why and could get you a pic or 2

I cannot tell a lie. I cut down the Cherry tree...well, the spruces, anyway.

It was a sad day. I felt kind of like Travis, the eldest son in Old Yeller. I cared for those trees for years, so it was up to me to do what had to be done.

This was a decision the Church agonized with for more than a year. The trees had simply outgrown their space. It was difficult to get caskets up the front walk for funerals. The west one was beginning to obstruct the Church's front sign. I also believe - had someone felt the need to do it - that the Church could have even been in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, because the trees interfered with access to the wheelchair ramp in the front of the building.

The trees were happy there, and they would have continued to grow, necessitating ongoing trimming. I would have either had to keep "notching" the trees to keep the walkway clear, or remove everything below about 8 feet. That would have been esthetically awkward at best, and at worst, dangerous as the trees became unbalanced. My only consolation is that I felt like I gave them a dignified and respectful end.

Now, I'm not being critical of the members who planted the trees 21 years ago, because I know some of them, but I think they just underestimated how big the trees would get, and they were simply planted too close together (18 feet). Those Spruces can get as wide as 25 feet at the base. This is a stark reminder of just how important planning is when planting young trees. Give them more space than you think they'll need is a good rule of thumb.

After the stumps are ground out, grass will be planted. I believe other options will be considered in the future.

I knew that this would come up here, because the trees were a significant landmark on that corner. People were going to notice they were gone. It was something that unfortunately had to be done.

It's always sad to see trees removed but, at least in this case, there was a legitimate reason.

Trees add so much value to a property, including economic value. A few years ago, the guy behind me took down two young, strong trees simply because he didn't like to rake leaves. They provided much needed shade and beauty to MY yard, as well as his, but I had no say in the matter because they were entirely on his property. It was a sad day. My kids cried. Years later, I am still sad to look out the window to so much open space. I planted a tree but it does not yet have the beautiful canopy those two did.

Perhaps the church's congregation will pass the plate to raise $$$ to plant an approriate-sized tree (or two) there.

Perhaps the church's congregation will pass the plate to raise $$$ to plant an approriate-sized tree (or two) there.