Someone wrote: They could be an invasive species such as Norway Maple or Black Locust which would make their removal an extremely good thing, or they may be a desirable native species such as any oak, meaning that they should be protected at all costs.
I'd say: Whoa, not so fast! Invasive or not-native, they still may be desirable. In this case providing shade and emotional comfort to at least one bike rider. And there is no way to replace these functions immediately with native trees. As it is, ever since the arrival of the white man, the landsscape has been changed a lot, and there is no way to go back to the pre-columbian state of nature - some too eager and well meaning people are trying and in the process not only use up lots of labor and other resources, but also pollute our not so pristine environment further by applying herbicides to the invasives. Some non-native species, who are a lot more invasive and annoying are Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard, and Kudzu in the South. If our society wants to undertake a herculean effort to return to a previous state of nature, they would be the ones to start with. Talk to the state parks people or the UW Arboretum managers, they have given up on trying to eliminate them or even contain them. And they are willing to use Roundup - and who knows what long-run effects that might have - remember DDT! Getting back to the Fellows Road and Lodi-Springfield Roads: How about a compromise? Cut down every other tree, or those most likely to drop branches, replant with native/approved species, and 10-15 years later cut down the remainder of the original trees. Now planting trees is expensive, especially desirable natives. A cheaper but slower way would be not mow many little roadside islands, then after 3-4 years go thru and stake or mark the desirable volunteers and mow/cut everything else. -- Michael von Schneidemesser (a/k/a Mike vons) 3555 Tally Ho Lane, Madison, WI 53705 608.233-3051 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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