What's With the Trees in the Street?
This week we set out to find out a little more about a local tree that is way out in the road.
This tree on Maverick Street has grown well beyond the sidewalk.
Photos (5)
Photos
Every week we set out to answer a question submitted by one of our readers as part of our You Ask...Patch Answers column.
This week we had a local resident write in with a question about an old tree that is growing in front of Abbot Public Library.
They asked: What's the story with the tree in the road on Maverick Street? Why hasn't that thing been cut down already?
According to Doug Gordon, Marblehead's Tree Warden, the tree growing out into Maverick Street has been growing there for decades and should be coming down soon.
Gordon said he didn't know why the tree has remained in the street for so long and a call to a former tree warden, he said, didn't turn up any new information.
"I know that tree has been there a long, long time," Gordon said. "It's in pretty rough shape and it will have to come down soon."
Gordon said he remembered when a local resident's appeal to have something done about a tree on Maverick Street failed after he received an adverse response from the community.
"Someone wrote into The Reporter and complained because they backed into a tree on that street and asked local residents to write in if they had any other complaints," Gordon said. "The guy got blasted by people who said he should have known it was there and we never heard from him again."
In addition to the tree's old age, Gordon said its close proximity to the library's chimney is another reason why it will have to come down.
"I only have four guys, so I have to prioritize," Gordon said. "I know that tree is not in the best of shape."
The tree on Maverick Street isn't the only one in town that is way out in the street, Gordon said, pointing out a large chestnut growing on Commercial Street.
"It's funny, you look at it and you go 'why?' when you see it," Gordon said. "It's bizarre but it has just been like that."
Do you know of any other trees growing out into the street in Marblehead? Think these trees should be removed? Let us know in the comments section.
If you have a question for us, not matter how strange it may seem, let us know and we'll try to find the answers.
Anne C. Mahoney
7:57 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
My guess is if you were to cut every tree down that 'might' be in your way, you'd want to think about taking driving lessons again. Marblehead has come along way since the cow paths [which many of the streets are named for] but I hope mowing down trees so one can get around town isn't going to be a new option. :-(
Charlie Ricker
8:23 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Cleary the nice old tree has been there longer than the street and sidewalk and people have made the good and appropriate decision over the years to leave them be. What we should be doing is carving the asphalt away from the tree - not killing the tree.
Charlie Ricker
8:29 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
If anything these trees create a natural deterrent to speeding. Enjoy them and let them die naturally instead of cutting them out of your way.
Owen Boss
9:29 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
We encourage discussion on this quality of life issue, but Patch does not tolerate name-calling or personal attacks. Thank you.
Sandy Doliber Campbell
10:00 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
This is nothing new. The streets and sidewalk came long after the trees, which were either already there or were planted prior to. PLEASE ... I hope they are never removed!!
Sandy Doliber Campbell
10:26 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Hold on now!! I just reread the article and my dander is up for sure now. What is wrong with this picture?! I remember when that person backed into a tree ... it was on the one on Maverick. I said at the time and I'll say again, "Does he not look in his rearview mirrors when backing up?" What was he doing parked on that side anyway ... "no parking" sign. These trees are a part of Marblehead and were there before a lot of you out there moved into town. God gave us brains, rearview mirrors ... I could go on and on ... it is we human beings who care for the trees not visa versa. I'm not living in Marblehead at the moment , so some people may think I should shut to heck up. I'm from Marblehead and I'm moving back as soon as the economy improves, so I feel that I do have a voice.
Owen Boss
10:28 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The tree the man backed into was the one a little further down Maverick Street. You can see it leaning into the road behind that red SUV.
Charlie Ricker
10:30 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Let me point out that of course if a tree is in tough shape or falling apart it should go - but not just because its in an inconvenient spot. Nor should the tree department be expected to take down healthy trees that are just in somebody's way. They have plenty to do without that type of request. Last I heard there were approx 13K public trees in town and 4 guys to take care of them. I believe the tree dept has been cut by about 50% over the years.
Charles Stacey
10:47 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Leave the trees alone unless they are dead or close to it. I wish we still had the big beautiful chestnut trees that used to be on Franklin St.
m d flemer
10:57 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Hmmm. Marbleheaders don't like trees on the sidewalks and now they don't like trees in the streets. What does that say about our view of our town? Cut off the offending branch but leave the tree, we've lost too many already. .
Charlie Ricker
11:19 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Next thing you know will be that the trees are gone and someone will say "people drive too fast on this street, we should put in a tree to choke down the space and then people will have to slow down"
Don Bucket
9:25 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Gawd what's the harm?