City searches high and low for tree-trimming suspect

An oak tree on Main Street that was trimmed without the city’s consent has created some downtown drama.

At a Downtown Improvement District meeting earlier this month, Chairman Ernie Ritz expressed concern about a tree in the 1400 block of Main Street that was cut back drastically.

“It looks terrible,” Ritz said. “How was that allowed to happen?”

Chief planner Steve Stancel told Ritz the tree trimming wasn’t approved by the city, which currently only trims the trees on an as-needed basis because of budget cuts. Some merchants, though, have voiced concerns that the trees on Main are overgrown and need trimming to prolong their health.

JFlo Hair Salon owner Tere Greenwald, who recently moved her salon to Main Street from Palm Avenue, said she does not know who trimmed the tree, which is located in front of her store.

“It blocked our signage and our entire building, but we didn’t do it, even though some of my employees complained about it,” Greenwald said. “We’re even here every Saturday, and it didn’t happen when we were working.”

Greenwald said she’s frustrated because city staff visits her salon almost every other day to question her on the matter.

“They are accusing us because some of my staff asked for the tree to be trimmed back,” Greenwald said. “We didn’t hire anyone to do it. If we would have, we would have hired someone to do it more professionally.”

Tim Litchet, director of Neighborhood and Development Services, said the tree trimming violates a city code that prohibits the injuring or defacing of trees, shrubs and flowers.

“Actions that can be taken include fines and both criminal and civil violations,” Litchet said. “But we can’t prove who did the damage right now.”

Public Works General Manager Todd Kucharski said the tree “was butchered” and there was nothing wrong with it in the first place.

“We make sure the trees are not touching buildings,” Kucharski said. “That tree had no issues.”

Greenwald, meanwhile, said she’s tired of being harassed.

“Show us the proof,” Greenwald said. “If you don’t have any, leave us alone and let us try to earn a living.”

Some Main Street merchants are frustrated with what they perceive as lax tree trimming and landscaping procedures by the city, yet the city and the Downtown Improvement District is willing to move forward with a Main Street improvement project that affects the entire street and will likely cost millions of dollars.

Lotus fashion boutique owner and former Downtown Sarasota Alliance Chairwoman Wendy Getchell shared her frustrations last week.

“The city wants a new brick street and more construction,” Getchell said. “We just would love to see the city clean and maintain our beautiful street as it exists today and clean up the trees and landscaping.”

Anyone who has any information about the illegal tree trimming is being asked to contact Litchet at 954-4147.