In April, a towering apple tree in front of Town Hall was cut down. Planted in its were several cherry trees.
They have not yet borne fruit. But another big apple tree that remained is producing plenty.
(Photo/JP Vellotti)
Just in time for cider.
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“06880” WEATHER
Can anyone tell us WHY the apple tree was cut down?
Well the “official” reason was because it was in bad condition (yet it still bore plenty of fruit). The “actual” reason was to make way for the cherry trees which were gifted to the town and planted in along the front edge of Town Hall.
“Gifted” from whom?
Who uses the fruit from the apple tree? Is it edible, or just for show?
Perhaps a snack for squirrels?
I’ve been eating the apples for 5 or so years, along with mulberries across the police department and raspberries in Winslow Park. Not sure if this is poaching or foraging.
LOL!
Hey, at least the fruits of someone’s labor isn’t going to waste!
The apple tree was found to be structurally unsound by our new Tree Warden. As such, it presented a potential hazard to the public. It’s town property and we’d be potentially liable if anyone was injured. As a result of the outcry generated by the removal of this tree by people who did not understand why, the Tree Warden modified the form that gets posted on town trees that are to be removed; there is now a section that explains the specific reasons for the removal – it’s a mini education in arborcare.
And I agree with Morley…the tree wasn’t in great shape and the town arborist really was very informative why it was going to be cut down, even if we all know the reason was to provide space for the new cherry trees which is ok too.
The town was gifted several times and it wasn’t made clear which trees were part of each gift, but to my best understanding these were either from Oliver Nurseries or Planter’s Choice of Newtown.
I agree with any Arborist who deems a tree to be unsound.
p.s. happy to know that there are plenty of berries and fruit to forage!
Just wondering if “The-Powers-That-Be” remember that there are some 30+trees that were purchased by the town that sit un-used at the Longshore dump/storage area. Perhaps we’re “The-Land-Of-Plenty”, but I hope that the need for future town plantings first considers these already owned trees. It’s only my opinion, but it sure appears that these expensive trees sit too bunched up, for too long, and that they are not properly watered; certainly before we buy new trees for some other town need.
Eric Bosch
I understand the new Tree Warden is really focused on finding homes for these trees (he inherited them with the job) and is actively making their availability for planting on town property known.
Here’s a thought: If Veteran’s Green needs 9 trees, and the town already has trees,, why not plant them there instead of charging $2k per tree as a memorial. Seems like a win-win.
The trees to be planted on Veterans Green are large caliper – that’s why they cost what they do. Also, of the 35 trees (which were actually donated) that were heeled in at Longshore, 25 are now in the ground and the rest are slated to be installed in the next couple of weeks – including 6 in that sad looking divider on Jesup. Yesterday several river birches got installed at the transfer station – check it out, they really look nice.