New Haven Independent

Posted by: Streever | April 22, 2009 9:26 AM

What?
The trees were diseased & dying, they are cutting them down to replace them with new trees & plants? People are irate about this?

This blows my mind. Maybe this could have been resolved better if neighbors simply spoke to the university instead of sending out angry e-mails & talking to the news. Sometimes I think people would rather get press coverage than do anything meaningful.

Posted by: COLD | April 22, 2009 9:48 AM

Does someone on campus need more logs for their fireplace?

Hot heads doing cool cuttings to helpless trees.

Eco-Murderers!!

Posted by: nfjanette | April 22, 2009 11:21 AM

I like trees too, but I have to wonder about the mindset of people that think it's a disaster when they have to be removed for legitimate reasons. Proper management of trees includes an understanding of the complete life cycle, including the end of it. I see far more problems from the lack of proper pruning and removal of trees than from the occasional "news-worthy" removal of a tree.

Posted by: East Rockette | April 22, 2009 11:23 AM

They couldn't have installed the fence behind or in front of the pine trees?

Posted by: Esbe | April 22, 2009 11:46 AM

Streever -- I have no idea what the truth is, but the neighbors claim that many of the large oaks were quite obviously healthy and they are suspicious because Albertus has a sad history of declaring that the healthy-looking trees on potential parking lots have all suddenly become diseased and have to come down immediately and without warning or discussion.

Personally, I think the hemlocks on Prospect looked scrubby and unpleasant and I think Albertus is probably correct that security would be enhanced by a good-looking fence.

Posted by: Streever | April 22, 2009 12:15 PM

I understand the concern ESBE, I just wonder if a lot of this couldn't have been resolved with a phone call.

First the neighbors get all upset, then we have local community people weighing in who don't even live over there.

I just worry that it sets a bad precedent when people can't use their property without a news story full of accusations by community members.

I think people should probably be a little bit more patient--it's not like the City went around clear-cutting trees. While I understand the concern, I don't think that the ends justify the means, here.

Posted by: Streever | April 22, 2009 12:17 PM

& just a note, I LOVE TREES! I have planted tons of them in New Haven and think we need more. But I also don't want anyone to come & tell me that I need to exercise more or that I'm getting fat. Some things aren't everyone else's business.

If the university is lying so they can drop a ton of asphalt, that's very disappointing, and they'll probably need to file permits to do so. Until they start filing permits though, I think we can wait & see if they plant & fill that area with foliage. They may not be lying!

Posted by: cr | April 22, 2009 12:54 PM

and just what are "professional tree people"?

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | April 22, 2009 1:00 PM

"Oakie" was a favorite of area dogs, pigeons and squirrels. Bob with the Grey Long Tail said, "I'll miss him. Now we have to move. You can bet the government won't do anything for us."

He was only 146. Said Birchie, his neighbor, "He was getting kinda rotten, ya know, from the inside out, and we all thought it was time for him to go."

The tree was mourned by a gathering of his seedlings. He will be cremated in the library fireplace. Contributions lovingly received at the Nature Conservancy.

Posted by: write&wrong | April 22, 2009 1:09 PM

Cut them all down I say... Albertus is not a city department, it is not a public park, this is not a zoning matter, etc. I say let them do what they want, when they want to.

Grow up folks ^#$& happens in life, deal with it.

Posted by: anon | April 22, 2009 1:28 PM

Can't do anything about them now, but reviewing the city's zoning and tree programs in general is a great step going forward.

Albertus must learn to be much more sensitive about communicating its programs and policies to the neighborhood in advance.

A tree is not "just a tree," especially when it is such a large one like this. Conservatively speaking, the compensatory value of a tree of this size can be thousands of dollars. When you are talking about more than one tree, that adds up fast. This may have been an unintentional oversight on their part.

Posted by: Donna | April 22, 2009 1:32 PM

Since when are trees and "a five-foot, black, wrought-iron fence" mutually exclusive?

Posted by: ParkStTaxPayer | April 22, 2009 1:46 PM

it annoys me when people react to the news, but not the facts.

learn why the trees were felled before reacting. The campus there is very scenic, and I think replanting trees there that are more in tune with the local varieties might give them a better chance at survival. Perhaps an American Sycamore or weeping willows? flowering trees are beautiful too!

I think the memorial service is silly, especially when new trees will be planted. It's Prospect St, not I-95.

Posted by: M | April 22, 2009 2:33 PM

streever, i would never tell you that you need to exercise more, or that you are getting fat. don't worry, i still have a man crush on you!

Posted by: Streever | April 22, 2009 2:45 PM

Hey Anon,

and what if? what if the university isn't lying, and the tree was dying from disease?

Well, then it gets to infect the other trees, doesn't it? It gets to turn ugly. It gets to fall--perhaps at an inopportune time, doing property damage or landing in the street, where it can block traffic/cause accidents/etc.

When is an anonymous commentator not just an anonymous commentator? When they are mouth pieces for people who are terrified of owning their own opinions. Probably a good choice though. If you profess an opinion under your own name, some local busybodies might get upset, & call the newspaper, and get a story or two written about you. Then more anonymous people can anonymously comment & the cycle can be complete.

Posted by: anon | April 22, 2009 3:05 PM

Streever: By "oversight" I wasn't referring to the trees being taken down, I was referring to the fact Albertus hasn't been great about communicating with its neighbors. For all the neighbors (me included) know, someone at Albertus was supposed to let the area know and just dropped the ball or went home early on Friday.

If the government took down a historic building (even one that were about to collapse) and didn't tell anyone beforehand that they were going to, there would be hell to pay. It is the same with trees.

Also, nobody cares about anonymous commentators or busybodies - they care about ideas and coming to community solutions. Does anyone even bother to read the "posted by" line? One great anonymous comment is better than ten official comments which don't say anything.

Posted by: Wicked Lester | April 22, 2009 3:06 PM

Streever, the only time you get up on your soapbox about anonymous comments is when you disagree with the post. As if "Streever" is a universally recognized name throughout New Haven. Yeah, everyone knows who "streever" is.

Posted by: Bill Kaplan | April 22, 2009 6:30 PM

Months ago, Albertus Magnus College had a vigorous, not always friendly series of exchanges with its neighbors about cutting trees and expanding parking lots, and the college modified its plans. The result was that people thought they might trust the College for continued dialogue. After all, Albertus isn't supposed to be just any old organization. They are a college with a mission and a heritage that they proudly display. It says in part, "The mission of Albertus Magnus College is to provide men and women with an education that promotes the search for all dimensions of truth and its practical application." (My italics.) The mission statement concludes by saying that Albertus "...remains dedicated to providing an opportunity for learning that responds to the academic needs and ethical challenges of its students and of society." (My italics again.) Well, here was that "practical application" and those "ethical challenges," in the form of some very real trees that would either stand or fall. If nothing else, people at Albertus could have talked about their plans with people whose lives are impacted by decisions the College takes. Maybe the College would have picked up a couple of good ideas. They didn't have anything to lose. They could have said to the neighborhood, "OK, we talked with you, we still think our plan is the best, and we are going ahead with it." But some effort to communicate would have been seen. There was no communication, only the sound of chainsaws. What we all have to deal with now is a deeply disappointing example of what, to me, seems shortsighted behavior. It seems to me that the board at Albertus has a problem beyond whether or not they had the legal right to cut down diseased trees, which I at least don't seriously dispute. Or even whether Albertus has offended its neighbors. As I see it, the College, in its daily life, acted contrary to its own mission. That should be at least as troubling to the people within the College and on its Board, as it is to some of the people who live near it in New Haven.

Posted by: Chris O | April 22, 2009 9:46 PM

Isn't it ironic that the Order of Preachers ( Dominicans) are silent and that the schools namesake was a philosopher and diplomat. I guess all the previous conversation and trust building are not important to the new broader mission of Albertus the College.

As a Taxpayer I believe any institution that gets a tax break and the city receives PILOT money for, should be subject to public scrutiny.

This is a National Historic District and for that reason a conversation should take place.

I don't believe any licensed Arborist would have taken down the mature trees. Of course the guy with a chainsaw in his hand and a mortgage to pay will say what needs to be said to get the job. If I sold diet pills to feed my family I would have no problem calling Streever fat and would agree that he should not exercise just take my pills.

I really wonder what the Board of Directors, students, faculty, and alumni think of this isolating stance.

Willow and Sycamore are wetland species and will not grow on a hill top. Shrubs and flowering trees are suburban and unsafe. They hide predators that the new fence is designed to keep out. Ask any Landscape Architect what this space needs and they'll probably tell you to plant some large shade trees to go with the scale and context of the district.

While most College Campuses are going green to attract students and faculty this campus is leaning towards the prison / mental hospital look.

Posted by: Charlie | April 23, 2009 9:11 AM

These trees are on private property. Are there zoning ordinances that require permission before cutting? If not, leave Albertus Magnus alone. Turn to your left or right and look at some other trees.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | April 23, 2009 9:26 AM

Hmm, Wicked Lester. Sounds like a GREAT cheese! Whoops, that's "Leicester." Sorry.

Posted by: nfjanette | April 23, 2009 9:34 AM

I don't believe any licensed Arborist would have taken down the mature trees. Of course the guy with a chainsaw in his hand and a mortgage to pay will say what needs to be said to get the job. If I sold diet pills to feed my family I would have no problem calling Streever fat and would agree that he should not exercise just take my pills.

The level of paranoia and supposition in some of these comments is far more scary to me than a landowner exercising their rights and responsibilities to properly maintain their property. Folks, when you don't have the facts, please don't make them up on your own. That doesn't help anyone.

Posted by: Chris O | April 23, 2009 2:33 PM

NFJanette-

No paranoia. I work in the tree industry, I looked at these trees. Poor choices were made. I see this far to often. This type of ruthless cutting often talked about within the trade.
Most tree removal companies are not licensed arborist. Show me the arborist report and I'll shut up. The scrubby pines were actually Hemlocks and I agree those could go but mature oaks. Many other institutions in new haven have had to save trees and alter plans to accommodate stately trees. NF Janette- If you have any facts- please enlighten- C

Posted by: Anstress Farwell, New Haven Urban Design League | April 23, 2009 4:49 PM

Here's some great links to information on the importance of urban trees, and why public policy should support protection:

Dan Burden, "22 Benefits of Street Trees":

http://tcstreetsforpeople.org/node/116

Arbor Day Foundation:

http://www.arborday.org/trees/benefits.cfm

Posted by: Lorax | April 23, 2009 5:15 PM

I speak for the trees, and man are they pissed!

Posted by: Anstress Farwell, New Haven Urban Design League | April 23, 2009 6:38 PM

Please come and drink lemonade with us!

ARBOR DAY: AN AGENDA FOR ELM CITY'S FUTURE

Community Meeting and Press Conference  

Memorial for Destroyed Trees & Announcement of Community Resolutions for the Protection of Trees and Historic Landscapes

When: April 24, 2009; 3 PM

Where: Corner of Prospect and Ogden Street - across from Albertus Magnus College (Refreshments will be served at 676 Prospect Street)

What: To announce the formation of a coalition of neighborhood groups and organizations to advance policy reforms to protect the public interest in the city's trees and historic landscapes.

Why: Neighborhoods across New Haven have lost ancient trees and beautiful landscapes to highway construction, parking lots, and private and institutional development. Despite growing scientific understanding of the importance of urban trees to people's physical and emotional health, to air and water quality, to the safety and comfort of streets, to the value of urban real estate, and to community character and stability, current regulations do not support the city's interest in protecting trees.

New Haven, the Elm City, was the first city in the United States to create a municipal ordinance to encourage the planting street of trees. The ordinance was promoted by James Hillhouse, who at the beginning of the 19th century, planted hundreds of trees in the city. His master work is the "green cathedral" shaped by elm trees of New Haven's Green. New Haven's landmark ordinance created the city's distinctive and beloved environment of shady streets, many graced by majestic old-growth trees.

In recognition of the city's distinguished heritage and community stewardship, New Haven has just been accepted into the Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

The restart this week of Albertus Magnus College's year long tree-cutting project has accentuated the vulnerability of our city's "lungs" to destruction. While the College's destructive and disrespectful actions are an impetus to this community action, it is by no means the sole cause. The irony of this loss happening just before Arbor Day compelled us to take constructive action now.

Neighborhood leaders and experts in law, urban greenspace, planning, and historic preservation will speak. The program will end with a vow to turn "Lemons into Lemonade" by committing ourselves to improving local regulations effecting trees.

Who: Brief statements will be offered by:

1. Alderwoman Alfreda Edwards, "Welcome to Ward 19; What we have learned about trees and good-faith community efforts to protect them"

2. Willam Kaplan, Secretary, Ronan-Edgehill Neighborhood Association, "Why Communities and Their Interests Require Respect"

3. Chris Ozyck, Vision New Haven, Tree and Greenspace Advocate, "Trees, Environmental Responsibility, and Good Stewardship"

4. Marjorie Shansky, Land use Attorney, "There Ought to be a Law! What Municipalities Can Do to Protect Trees"

5. Chris Randall, President, New Haven Land Trust, "Building Community: The Importance of Trees and Gardens to Strong Neighborhoods"

6. Anstress Farwell, President, New Haven Urban Design League: "Protecting Historic Landscapes, Creating Safe Streets"

7. Peter Dobkin Hall, School of Public Affairs, Baruch College, CUNY, and Senior Research Fellow at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University, " "Lemons to Lemonade" a community quaffing of lemonade to mark our dedication to protecting the past and creating a better future.

Posted by: Charlie | April 23, 2009 6:43 PM

People, this is private property. If this was PUBLIC property we'd have a say. The college can cut down as many trees on THEIR PROPERTY as they want! What are you all talking about?

Posted by: norton street | April 23, 2009 8:17 PM

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=colony+road+new+haven&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.222969,114.257812&ie=UTF8&ll=41.322782,-72.946558&spn=0.011973,0.027895&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.322857,-72.94651&panoid=QVidIgtENMNCVByqW_ffpQ&cbp=12,24.742933067956443,,0,-11.546153846153839

i think these should be chopped down too, they appear to be suffering from the same disease of "naturally defining the street as a pleasant space, boosting property values, bridging man-made urban place and organic natural space, etc." in fact, there are a ton of these disease-type trees in most of this cities neighborhoods, its rampant in edgewood, east rock, fair haven and dont even get my started with westville. not to mention, if somebody doesnt chop those disease-ridden trees down in wooster square park, i may have to go do it myself. we need more fences in this city, can't you all see that?

Posted by: kamb | April 23, 2009 11:33 PM

OMG, its a tree!

Posted by: Treehugger | April 24, 2009 10:56 AM

Pivate property issues aside, dangerously hollow trees can look fine from the outside but perhaps some trees could have been trimmed instead of felled--that big Oak butt log in the first picture looks solid...but we see some hollow branches stacked up too.

Either way it should be pretty obvious by looking at the sawn up parts before they're removed.

BTW, didn't AM plant that row of Hemlocks on Prospect after the 1989 tornado?

[Many trees is this area were devasted on July 10th, 1989 when a tornado(s) came down Prospect St. then Livingston after smashing through Hamden and the Old Growth Cathedral Pines in Cornwall. One of these tornados snapped a mature white pine at it's base, picked the whole tree up from the rear of our Canner St. back yard, spinned it around and deposited it towards the front just touching our house.]

Posted by: nfjanette | April 24, 2009 1:09 PM

No paranoia. I work in the tree industry, I looked at these trees. Poor choices were made. I see this far to often. This type of ruthless cutting often talked about within the trade.
Most tree removal companies are not licensed arborist. Show me the arborist report and I'll shut up.

I like stately trees, really I do. My point was that many people don't see to understand that there are life cycles for trees as well as things that go wrong and kill them. I understand your point about overbearing approaches to managing damaged tress. It would be interesting to see that report, but that's up to the private institution to decide, just as it was up to them to ultimately make the decision about how to best manage the situation on their property. I don't work in the tree management industry, but it's hard to understand that a visual inspection from ground level would be sufficient for an evaluation.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | April 24, 2009 2:04 PM

A friend of mine from Guilford had to have all her hemlocks cut down last year. She cried over it. They to were sick and and branches were just falling. She said the arbor guy who she is friends with said that it would of been very costly to save them, if they could be saved at all.

But with that said I too would for been creating a disturbence and blocked them from cutting them down

Posted by: Ned | April 24, 2009 2:38 PM

It is very sad to see a tree die - or, worse, to see a tree killed. Unfortunately Hemlocks are all succumbing to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, and other diseases and environmental stress.

Almost all of the hemlocks, that were growing in East Rock Park, are dead.

Posted by: ned | April 25, 2009 4:20 PM

Sorry about the bad link. Here is the correct link: The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges Tsuga Annand) [UCONN]

Posted by: reedyzinks | May 7, 2009 8:16 PM

I now live well away from the area on a property with seven elegant oaks and a hemlock border. For ten years I lived on Ogden Street and watched as Albertus went at the upper Ogden neighborhood, tree-by-tree. Watch out for arborists. Any tree a hundred years or older can qualify as diseased. Sandweiss is a tree company that has played loose with the idea of eco-niches. I watched as trees were taken down for 301 Ogden. A REAL arborist said Eli Whitney saw these trees. They're saveable. The area has suffered at the hands of poor planning, lack of neighborhood organization, Pearce Agents (some of whom live in the neighborhood), architect poachers who live in the neighborhood or as faculty of the Yale Architecture School in the 60s and 70s speculated on land parcels. New Haven has horrible laws about property development. Good luck to you all.

My advice: band together and get status-for-trees laws established. Those trees were there before anyone reading this was alive, and would have been there after all of you had died.

From the photos it appears that Albertus cut down the trees it planted after the freak tornado in the 80s. Heck, they'll cut down their own - why do you think they'll be wise?

Have a look at a similar housing area that got heritage status:

http://realtyplot.org/

Also, the federal government has a backyard habitat preservation program. I hadn't learned of this until after I left the area. It could provide a good foundation for attacks at the attackers. Not so long ago I used to see red hawks on phone poles and a wild turkey on the hood of my car when I came out in the morning. Are there any birders left in the neighborhood? The damnable thing is that most of you people are Yale-related, and don't stay long enough to get into caring. It takes about five years at least. Count one-two down the line. Each one of two of your neighbors cares. The others are either along for the ride, looking to move on, or have an investment in area properties they're looking to cash in on.

The housing stock there is excellent. When I moved there I thought everyone had a desire to preserve the neighborhood. Not so. Organize. You pay the highest property taxes in New Haven. The city needs you, and you need to take back your trees.