The Observation Deck

I know that it had to happen, but it was still hard to pass by the Y and see those lovely old trees gone. Oh, well - time to plant for the next 100 years.

I was disappointed as well that they couldn't save any of them. Driving down Detroit - it seemed so empty.

Friday, August 19, 2005, John Kuehner - Plain Dealer Columnist

Oak trees are brought down so Lakewood YMCA can go up

Six stately oak trees that shaded the lawn outside the Lakewood YMCA on Detroit Avenue will be chipped into mulch.

A tree company cut down the oaks last week to make room for the new $10.5 million YMCA health and wellness center.

Ironically, the center, to be completed in 2007, will follow green building techniques aimed at providing a healthy indoor environment with minimal impact on the outside environment.

But the oaks could not fit into the plan.

Originally, YMCA leaders had hoped the trees could remain, agency spokeswoman Audra Kessler said. But as the new building site took shape, it became obvious the plan could not accommodate the trees. Construction would have damaged their roots and weakened their limbs, which would have posed a hazard to pedestrians.

Several trees also were rotting on the inside from ant damage.

An idea to recycle the oaks into furniture was scrapped this week because the trees were riddled with metal conduits for electric lights, eye hooks and nails from over the years.

The tree company broke three chainsaws cutting down the oaks, Kessler said.

But YMCA expects to make the property leafy again. It will plant 32 trees, such as birch and burr oak.

Over the past year I have lost two large maples in my front yard. As I drive down my street I have realized that the trees that were planted when the houses on Mars are aging; We need a plan to replace our aging hardwoods - with native trees - oaks, maples, beeches, etc. - in part to maintain the character and appearance of the city and in part to maintain our environment - trees provide shade, prevent excess run-off, etc.

Hi, Linda,

You might already be aware of this: the city has an urban forester, whose name escapes me at the moment. There is a plan for planting the tree lawns, with different varieties for each street. Perhaps we can encourage him to post. The hard part about seeing mature trees removed is that to me they represent time, decades and sometimes 100+ years. They are irreplaceable.

Lakewood Park is a wonderful place to view various specimens of native trees. Many Lakewood students, parents and teachers benefit at leaf collection project time from the fine planning there!

Linda/Ellen

We must replace the old dying or stressed trees with similar young trees. What has been planted in the past are small trees that have become a hazard to walkers.

When my wife and I walk the dog, it is painful(really) to travel on some streets. The little funky trees hang low enough to hit me in the face, and this is not one or two but nearly every one on some streets.

Maples, Oaks, Sycamores should be encouraged. I would be nice to get someone from the city here talking about their plans.


Jim

Jim O'Bryan wrote:When my wife and I walk the dog, it is painful(really) to travel on some streets. The little funky trees hang low enough to hit me in the face, and this is not one or two but nearly every one on some streets.

Maples, Oaks, Sycamores should be encouraged. I would be nice to get someone from the city here talking about their plans.


Jim

Even mighty oaks go through the "hit you in the face" growth stage, although pruning for passersby is a community service.

Residents may purchase trees through the city program.