Many new sidewalk trees will be installed this year, as evidenced by spray-painted white boxes that have recently appeared on our sidewalks. The Conservation Advisory Council takes requests for the trees, and, if approved, someone (the CAC? DPW?) spray paints a box on the sidewalk where the sidewalk is to be removed and a tree planted. Residents can request exactly where on their sidewalk they would like the tree to be placed, but if there are overhead wires or other issues, then the CAC (or DPW?) decides where the tree will instead be installed.
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| Who approved this? |
A neighbor of mine on State Street was recently granted a request for a sidewalk tree, but their preferred location was denied because of overhead wires. I can't believe that anyone at the CAC or DPW approved, let alone even considered, the location that is spray painted and ready for digging. It's absurd and counterproductive -- it might make pedestrians (especially the elderly and disabled) want to pull it out of the ground and throw it in the street TO GET IT OUT OF THEIR WAY. We should be glad to pass by a sidewalk tree, not annoyed or obstructed by it. |
| The ideal spot for a sidewalk tree! |
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| 3 feet from corner to corner!!!! |
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"I won't be in your way, will I?"
asked the sidewalk tree. |
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| N. 7th Street zig zag |
The Hudson Conservation Advisory Council is obviously in the business of advising City Hall on environmental matters. Why are they so ACTIVE in getting sidewalk trees planted? How does offering residents a sidewalk tree request form on their website comply with their advisory role? The CAC isn't advising the city to get more trees planted -- they are actually the group getting it done. I am all for sidewalk trees and trees in general -- we need more of them. But planting new trees that will be obstructions along our sidewalks is poor advice, poor policy, and an unwise thing to actually make happen.
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