We can’t help but notice the large swaths of trees being wiped out in our city each year. Many were lost to the Emerald Ash Borer outbreak and others are, unfortunately, purposely removed by homeowners. So we’re heartened to hear that Dearborn residents can still order trees through a program offered by the Parks Division of the City of Dearborn’s Department of Public Works, which will be planted in the easement in front of their homes.Trees are planted by a contractor and have a one-year warranty. Public Works officials will decide if there is adequate space in the easement of a property owner’s home for a tree. Planting will take place in early April and should be complete by early June.
The following species of trees are available: Celebration Maple, Yellowwood, Honeylocust, Ginkgo, Golden Rain Tree, Rubber Tree, Hackberry and Linden. Spring Snow Crab trees are available for planting sites that are underneath overhead wires.
The program is open to Dearborn residents only, and the supply of trees for the program is limited. Trees cost $25 each and are sold on a first come, first served basis. Call 313-943-2317 to order, or request a selection guide which offers more information about the species of trees being offered.
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It's a cultural thing, I guess. The first thing many Arab homeowners do when they move in is take out every mature tree on the property. It's devastating neighborhoods. take a drive through east Dearborn and youll find areas that were once lush with green canopies, now entirely barren. This program is fine for the easements but the real devastation is happening in backyards across our city.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it's just Middle Easterners who are taking down trees, but I've noticed many good quality trees being taken down trhoughout my neighborhood for no good reason. It hurts all of our property values when these priceless gems are removed and it really ticks me off when I see it. I'm not sure how long we can call ourselves a 'Tree City' if it continues.
ReplyDeleteI agree Joker. Unless the tree is decaying, threatens the foundation of a structure or some other living beauty, we should all want to preserve trees that enhance our reputation as Tree city USA.
ReplyDeleteBut get rid of street leaf pickup!?!?!?
ReplyDeleteI dont think its really a cultural thing either- more so just lack of knowledge about this program. As an eastsider, i know the devastation some blocks have seen from the storms these past 10 years. Our own lawn used to have two trees but we lost one about five years ago. I didn't know about this program and will certainly look into it. I would hope the city makes a strong effort to advertise this in the eastend as some blocks really need it!
ReplyDeleteI guess I may be guilty of over-generalizing earlier. I can only speak of what I've seen happening in my neighborhood. I guess we all can agree that we're losing alot of these great old trees for a number of reasons. Nick, as long as those damaged trees were on your easement, the city will plant you a new one under this program.
ReplyDeleteIn my view I blame the city for the unnecessary removal of trees. It was the city that removed nearly all of the few remaining trees on my block. All for a pointless 2 foot street widening that was done when they installed the new storm drains. All it has done is make the street look more barren and make people more comfortable speeding because without the trees it feels even wider.
ReplyDeleteAt first I had hope the trees would be replaced but the silence I got on that part of my question to the mayor and the more than a year that has passed has made it obvious the city really doesn't care. Now every time I see the city describe itself as a city of tree lined streets I laugh.
Also, our tree was lost to the ash borer. Sadly the city decided to tear them all down instead of trying to save them, as Grosse Pointe Farms has done with some success. That city even helped lead the change in the state's policy from removal to treatment whenever possible.
On top of that, money that was given to the city for the ash borer problem was used for the program in this article, I believe 3 years ago. I believe the city should have contacted residents who lost ash trees on public easements and given them priority for new trees.
Personally I think the city should have lost its "Tree City" status years ago. It certainly doesn't deserve it in my opinion.
I feel your frustration Paul. This is an issue that has bothered me too. As a 'Tree City' I had hoped our city would have taken a more proactive and aggressive approach to saving our city's trees. I've written the mayor and other city officials as well about neighbors in my area who were taking down perfectly healthy trees and I guess there is nothing that can be done about it. With housing prices plummeting, maintaining these valuable assets in our city is more important than ever. Are you listening City Hall?
ReplyDeleteI hate to see trees being taken down for no reason but how can you stop someone from removing trees that they don't want in their own yards? Some people just don't like trees, they don't want to pick up leaves and branches, etc. How far can the city go telling people what they can and cannot do on their own property?
ReplyDeleteMany cities who have realized the value in their old growth tress have actually gone through the trouble of making a sort of 'tree census' for each property. When a homeowner or developer removes a mature tree they must replace that with a new tree. It's a wise program because it recognizes that these old trees belong to the entire neighborhood and not just the homeowner.
ReplyDeleteWhat Scarecrow says is correct and some cities have taken it further by approving and enforcing an ordinance that requires city approval before any tree on any part of the property is removed.
ReplyDeleteTo further expand, these same cities are not trying to deprive homeowners of their property owner rights because they do allow them to tear down trees that are a continual threat to structure as well as ones that are dying. Even if the tree is in an owners backyard and is taken down for viable reasons, due to the energy savings and beauty trees offer some of these cities aslo require the tree to be replaced.
I think part of the issue that is so touchy is how to balance the line between city and neighbor rights versus the rights of the homeowner with tree(s).
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