CM and all: below is a private post which came to me. I am posting it without the persons name, I think the comments are relevant to the discussion. I hope the person who sent it will not feel betrayed. My goal is not to hunt down anyone who "could" be responsible. I hoped we could figure out ways of preventing the lost of other trees. I believe there is room for additional city regulations and perhaps coordination of tree related programs such as UC-Green. S >>>Listen, I am not sure finding the person responsible for this is going to work. >>>The tree I looked closely at fell because the root structure did not extend under Walnut Street. It appeared to me that the curb and poor soil under the street prevented that from happening >>>The other problem was that the tree was planted on top of a sandy / clay soil. When I looked in the hole next to the trunk it was full of water. Without a proper root structure (think of the root flare as the foot of the tree)
to support the weight of the tree and the saturated soil underneath - the side of the trunk closest to the tree actually sunk into the ground and the trees tipped towards the street. >>>The life of a tree depends on its environment. If you ever walk through an unmanaged forest you will see that most trees grow up and then fall down. you might see a tree that died and rotted in place (generally as they rot they shed large branches). Trees grow taller in protected places with good soil and less wind. Trees don't grow as tall elsewhere. >>>I think this was a situation where the trees simply out grew their environment. They would have come down anyway because they were simply too big. >>It is clear to be that this is a Catch 22. >>>1. If the city cuts down all of the really big beautiful trees that pose a risk of falling on something or wrecking the sidewalks - people will be unhappy because they are cutting trees down. >>>2. If the city leaves the trees alone and they grow big and beautiful and the trees sometime wreck the sidewalks, cause people to trip and occasionally fall on people, homes and cars - then people will want to blame someone. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Cindy Miller Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:36 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UC] Trees All this talk about trees makes me think of how unappreciated and taken for granted that they are. Cement up to the trunk, shallow root pits, chopping off roots to make the sidewalk lay flat...Ugh! Or the trees on our block that were butchered last fall because they were in the way of the power lines.....Street trees really have to fight for survival, IMO they should be revered! Maybe it's easier not to consider their importance when the temperatures are still cool, but there's nothing like the shade of a tree when it's stinkin' hot on a city street . And the oxygen they add to the air, and the pollutants they offset, the earth their root systems keep in place and....etc., etc., etc. I would hope that the city (and it citizens) stop taking trees for granted and realize just how precious these natural resources are. Perhaps an awareness campaign? (I like to think that people just don't know...and that's why trees are abused.) -cm On Monday, April 23, 2007, at 12:14 AM, Elizabeth F Campion wrote: Dear Craig, Thanks for the info, but it might be important to know that the city does not cede the right of walkway to the existence of or desire for trees. Most residential blocks in the city require a paved walkway that is 5' wide. Many commercial blocks require more width. The largest requirement that I have seen is 17'. This explains why some property owners make tree lawns, in the hope that a longer ribbon of earth might permit sufficient area for the delivery of water and air to tree roots. Best! Liz On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 23:44:06 EDT [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: In a message dated 4/22/2007 7:29:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Someone private-mailed me and accused me of "dime-dropping" on the "whoever" withL&I and asked me to post a clarification. Are you stating a participant on this listserv tried to intimidate you with the threat of Don't Snitch? How sad. Out the weenie, SAli. L&I codes are meant to support a reasonable and decent quality of life for the general populace. ... I plan to check withL&I to see what the regulations are, what forms are used. There are reasonable practices meant to maximize tree viability in urban settings. . No pavement shall be laid within an area of three (3) feet by four (4) feet around the base of the trunk of any such tree nor shall any stone, gravel, cement, lumber, or other material be deposited upon such area. Private Contractors. Any person engaged in the business of planting, removing, spraying, pruning, bark tracing, and root pruning of street trees in the City of Philadelphia shall comply with the following rules and regulations relating to the proper performance of said work: . He/she shall obtain a permit before performing any work on the street trees in the City. . He/she shall sign an agreement whereby he/she will agree to hold the City of Philadelphia and the Commission harmless from any and all claims of whatever nature arising from damage of property or injury to any persons, however caused, through the exercise of said permit either by himself/herself, his/her agent, servant, or employee. . He/she shall obtain comprehensive liability insurance for injury to any person or persons and for damage to any property, in such amount as the Commission may require. . A certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage shall be placed on file with the Commission. . He/she shall perform the work described above in good, workmanlike fashion, and in addition, shall comply with the published regulations for the care of street trees issued by the Commission. General guidelines are available at http://www.fairmountpark.org/StreetTree.asp I think man had a hand in this one. By keeping his hand in his pocket instead of spending money to the do the job right the first time. For over 30 years Stoneleigh has been a real estate gateway to hell and anguish in West Philly. The city stops responding when people stop complaining, because a cash strapped city hopes the private sector will remediate this valuable piece of real estate. In 1980 Court of Common Pleas almost seized the property, while the DA was prosecuting the owner for a plethora of significant code violations. Ever wonder why the exterior rain conductors still aren't connected to the DWV lines? It is a shame the building suffers from inept management. Craig Melidosian Past President Fairmount Park Commission Advisory Council <image.tiff> See what's free at AOL.com. Elizabeth Campion Cell Phone: 215-880-2930 215-546-0550 Main, -546-9871 fax, Desk + VM: 215-790-5653 PRUDENTIAL, FOX & ROACH REALTORS, LLC Please read Consumer Notice & enjoy "HOME PILOT" tools at www.PruFoxRoach.com
