urbanSTL

quincunx wrote:~7 ash trees were cut down on my block. Two sets of three were in a row. The loss of shade just hurts.

I don't know how people on barren blocks can stand it. Just picking two at random, 6300-6400 Arsenal, almost none, looks miserable. 

Ash trees should and need to be cut down due to a borer that kills them causing them to be structurally unstable.

LArchitecture wrote: ↑

Aug 11, 2023

quincunx wrote:~7 ash trees were cut down on my block. Two sets of three were in a row. The loss of shade just hurts.

I don't know how people on barren blocks can stand it. Just picking two at random, 6300-6400 Arsenal, almost none, looks miserable. 

Ash trees should and need to be cut down due to a borer that kills them causing them to be structurally unstable.

Oh, I  know, it's a shame.

Speaking of street trees, I'm thinking of requesting a new street tree. I've planted a couple of small trees on my lawn, and a lovely redbud volunteered in the breezeway, but I think it's time to replace an oak the city took down a few years ago. But the worry I have is that they'll plant something small and I'd kind of like a good sized shade tree. Would I be better off just planting something myself, or should I submit a request? (The previous oak was probably just to my neighbor's side of the line, and it was she that requested it be removed, so I suppose I risk riling controversy by planting a new tree, but damn it, I want a new tree. And too many of the mature trees on the street are about the same age, so I worry they'll all go at once.) 

Plant your own! I think forest releaf will give you a free tree.

I'm not in their focus area, and I can afford to buy one. (I'm still a little intimidated by it, but I've helped my mother plant so many tress I really shouldn't be. And one of two I planted a few years ago is doing well and the other is, at least, not yet dead.) It's just time to go bigger! We've got lots of pin oaks and sweet gum. There's some poplars, a sycamore or two, and a few small, scraggly undergrowth things that aren't fairing do well. I'm suddenly wondering if maybe a cypress might do well. A dawn redwood could be lovely, but they tend to have a fair number of lower branches, at least until they mature more. Hmm . . . I think I will go the plant myself route. Just need to do a little thinking about what will work best to help the canopy and age in well with the neighbors. (Not another sweetgum or pin oak, I think.)

^The entire State of Missouri is the focus area of Forest ReLeaf. Don't feel like you can't request a tree or two. I (with lots of help) plant 100 or more from them a year. It's a fantastic organization that is expanding their capacity to do much more than just provide trees for planting. That said, there's nothing wrong with buying a tree of your own, or requesting planting by the City. Anything that gets more healthy and native trees along our streets is good. They're not particularly difficult to plant, and make a lasting impact.

I have become convinced that the construction of Expo at Forest Park contaminated the ground water. All of our trees are dying on 5700 Waterman except that one big sturdy oak in front of 5745.

If they were newly planted trees, it’s likely they weren’t taken care of or planted at the wrong time. If that’s the case, then it makes sense why they died and the big one didn’t.

If the Expo somehow managed to contaminate the ground and kill a ton of trees as a result, then just imagine how badly contaminated the grounds around gas stations, highways and strip malls is. So deadly that the areas should be an exclusion zone.

If they are still ash trees that have not yet been removed, that's an easy explanation. Streetview would suggest that is not the case here. It could just be stress from drought and heat, especially but not at all exclusively for younger trees. The past few summers have been tough on trees, especially street trees around here. While rain has been plentiful at times, we have gone through long stretches of fairly dry and at times very hot weather. Everything right now is on the crunchy side. I'm going to have to start watering all the trees I planted last year again.

Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑

Aug 31, 2024

If they were newly planted trees, it’s likely they weren’t taken care of or planted at the wrong time. If that’s the case, then it makes sense why they died and the big one didn’t.

If the Expo somehow managed to contaminate the ground and kill a ton of trees as a result, then just imagine how badly contaminated the grounds around gas stations, highways and strip malls is. So deadly that the areas should be an exclusion zone.

It's both, it's the saplings (which were probably malpractice-ly planted) but of far more concern is the mature ones almost none of which are ashes.

We're going to be a completely tree blighted exposed block in another couple years. The trees next to the Hudson on 5600 Pershing are dying too.

U City is preparing to cut down the vast majority of large, mature trees that line the 7200 - 7500 blocks of Pershing. They claim the trees need to go so that they can repave the street and rebuild the sidewalks. 

Anyone familiar with this street knows that the trees, along with the classic early 20th Century apartment buildings, make this a particularly handsome stretch. This wholesale destruction will turn the street into a barren wasteland. 

These pics from Google give you an idea of what it's like now, but the only way to really get it is to bike or walk the length of the street.

 (Note that these are perfectly healthy trees; the Street View image was taken in early Spring, before the sycamores got their leaves. The young trees in the median will remain.)

Sounds like its a bit easier for them to do the paving with all the trees cut down, and therefore they're going to go ahead and do it. Local governments in our area are terrible about maintaining shade, I've seen lots of mature trees cut down in the CWE in the last few years for reasons ???

^ In the city most street tree removal of what may appear to be "healthy" trees has been due to the Emerald Ash Borer threat; I believe it usually involves replacement with more varied species, although I think that depends on Ward funds, unfortunately.

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/d ... -louis.cfm

framer wrote: ↑

Jan 11, 2025

U City is preparing to cut down the vast majority of large, mature trees that line the 7200 - 7500 blocks of Pershing. They claim the trees need to go so that they can repave the street and rebuild the sidewalks. 

Anyone familiar with this street knows that the trees, along with the classic early 20th Century apartment buildings, make this a particularly handsome stretch. This wholesale destruction will turn the street into a barren wasteland. 

These pics from Google give you an idea of what it's like now, but the only way to really get it is to bike or walk the length of the street.

 (Note that these are perfectly healthy trees; the Street View image was taken in early Spring, before the sycamores got their leaves. The young trees in the median will remain.)

Very beautiful stretch of trees along this boulevard. My first apartment when I moved to StL was along this stretch. I think it’s one of the prettiest streets in the county. Very bikeable, beautiful pre-war multi-family plexes, serene.

I've heard this, yes, but I feel some skepticism. Even if all those trees absolutely had to be removed, they've done a pretty bad job of replacing them on any sort of reasonable timeline. Then again, in places where there are new saplings planted a lot of them have died soon after planting. 

Don't you have to wait a while to plant a new tree where one was due to the old one's decomposing?
The seedlings need water. 

^ I believe a lot of the replacements are on the same block but not on the precise location of the removed ones.  But I agree with PeterXCV that at least it would be nice to have an evaluation of the effectiveness of the removal program

FWIW, here's the official statement from U City:

 "We are writing to inform you of an upcoming street construction project in your area, scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2025. As part of this project, we will be making street improvements along public right-of-way (ROW), from Linden Avenue to Forest Park Parkway. This project will include the construction of new sidewalks, curbs, and asphalt pavement. 

During the planning and assessment phases, it was noted that certain trees along the right-of-way are in conflict with the planned construction. If these trees are not removed, their roots will be disturbed during the construction, potentially causing damage to the trees or leading to their decline, which could create hazardous situations. Removing these trees is necessary for the timely and safe progression of the street construction project. This action is critical to avoid further delays and to help us stay on track with the project timeline. 

In order to ensure the successful completion of the project and to preserve the safety and integrity of the new infrastructure, it is essential that the trees be removed prior to the start of construction. The city plans to replace the removed trees with new ones during the Fall of 2025."

Look at the trees around you Are they already 'dead'?
Old trees often become hollow inside due to a combination of natural processes and external factors. As a tree ages, its heartwood, the core of the trunk, dies and decays, eventually leading to a hollow space. Injuries to the tree, such as branch breakage or pruning cuts, can also expose the sapwood, making it vulnerable to fungi and bacteria that further deepen the cavity.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Heartwood Decay:
In a healthy tree, the heartwood provides structural support. However, as the tree ages, the cells in the heartwood die and decompose, leaving behind a hollow space.
Injury and Infection:
Injuries to the tree, such as branch breakage, pruning cuts, or even lightning strikes, can create openings in the bark, exposing the sapwood to fungi and bacteria. These pathogens can then enter the tree and accelerate the decay process, leading to hollows.
Natural Pruning:
Trees may also naturally prune lower branches as they mature, which can also expose the sapwood and lead to the development of hollows.
Hollows as Habitat:
Hollows in trees can provide shelter and food sources for various animals, insects, and fungi, further contributing to their development.
Structural Impact:
While hollows can be a natural part of a tree's aging process, they can also weaken the tree's structural integrity, making it more susceptible to wind damage or falling.

I am worried that the tornado will give people reason to purge street trees in other areas of the city, where it is not necessary.

Loss of urban trees affects education outcomes
The study highlights how ecosystem degradation disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities.
https://attheu.utah.edu/research/loss-of-urban-trees-affects-education-outcomes/

TalkinDev wrote:I am worried that the tornado will give people reason to purge street trees in other areas of the city, where it is not necessary.

The forestry department manages tree removal.

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