Tree removal leaves mark on neighborhood

The construction of new homes in Arlington Park has some residents worried about the changing character of the neighborhood — and stepping up to speak for the area’s trees.

Nathan Wilson first became aware of the potential problem when four new homes were built on vacant or bulldozed lots near his home in the 2600 block of Floyd Street earlier this year. The houses were built to fill much of the lots, and four oak trees were cut down in the process. Wilson said the trees were all of a relatively significant size, and pegged them at 45 years old or older.

“They started doing the first two, and we started saying, ‘What can we do here?’” Wilson said. “I had never been involved in anything like this before.”

Wilson reached out to city arborist Nigel Weait, who is responsible for ensuring permits have been properly secured before trees are cut down. Wilson also approached the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association and found this issue extended beyond his block.

“That’s what really got us concerned — it wasn’t just going to be a few houses here and there,” Wilson said. “It was becoming a neighborhood-wide problem.”

The city requires a permit to remove any non-citrus tree greater than 4.5 inches in diameter at breast height. Unless there is documented evidence that a tree was cut down — or a builder is caught in the act — Wilson said it’s often difficult to monitor for improper tree removal. He says he’s stopped several people in the act of cutting trees down without permits, and believes others are also cutting down trees improperly.

Weait disagreed with the notion that the city struggles to keep up with builders cutting down trees without proper permitting and said offenders are cited if any issues arise.

“We go after them and we get them,” Weait said. “We investigate, we find out who did it, and then we issue citations.”

Weait said that, in some cases — such as with homes near Wilson’s Floyd Street residence — removed trees were suffering from ganoderma, a disease that weakened the trees and made them susceptible to falling over. Those trees were replaced by the builder, as required in the ordinance.

Confusion has also arisen when landscapers have trimmed trees and residents believe they’re being removed. In general, Weait said, builders are also interested in maintaining significant greenery.

“Most developers are very keen to try to save trees,” Weait said.

Additional issues arise due to the wording of the city’s tree ordinance, residents argue. The regulations prohibit the removal of a “grand tree,” defined as a live oak whose trunk has a diameter of 24 inches or greater at breast height — leaving other trees of significance vulnerable.

Karin Murphy and Andrew Georgiadis, leaders of the city’s Urban Design Studio, have echoed the concerns about the disappearing trees. Although they couldn’t guarantee ironclad regulations to eliminate that issue, improving the tree ordinance is a priority as they develop a new form-based city code.

Murphy and Georgiadis said that, when they come forward with new rules for tree preservation, residents who feel strongly about the issue need to speak up. Unless leaders are aware that citizens care about the trees, they said, it could be difficult to beef up tree-protection regulations.

“When we file these, we’re going to be counting on you guys,” Murphy said. “There will be pressure back, I’m sure.”

Wilson said the city was responsive when alerted to any issues, but said the neighborhood itself needed to remain vigilant to maintain the quality of life in Arlington Park.

“A little bit of nature in the city is kind of nice,” Wilson said. “We’re trying to preserve that.”