Common Council

Buckeye Road Oak Removal

I've received a number of questions/concerns about a large oak tree marked for removal as part of the Buckeye Road reconstruction project and wanted to provide an update for everyone.

I contacted our Engineering department to ask that we look at all options for saving this tree and as of this morning the contractor has been instructed to hold on removing this tree while we explore options. The large elm tree next to it has been determined beyond saving and unfortuantely will need to come down with the other tree removals associated with this project.

One possible option to save the tree includes removing the terrace between the sidewalk and street to shift the sidewalk alignment and installing a reinforced concrete retaining wall to minimize the width and excavation needed for a replacement wall. A second option would result in a realignment of the roadway to the south and loss of some additional on-street parking. Both of these options have significant drawbacks, but are worth considering given the value of this 200+ year old oak tree.

City Forestry will first evaluate the health of this tree and provide feedback on options for rebuilding the retaining wall that would not kill the tree. This evaluation was not done previously by Forestry since the tree was on private property. Since that time the City has purchased right of way and the tree from the property owner and it is now publicly owned.

I will provide an update once we have more information. Thanks to all that raised their concerns. I'm hopeful that we can find a way to avoid such an impactful loss to our urban canopy.