The City of Long Beach, with the assistance of State and Federal environmental agencies, is embarking on a plan to cut some 1000 trees in the City. This past February, the City selected a company to take down trees that were either killed or seriously debilitated by salt-water inundation of Superstorm Sandy in October of 2012. The money to fund this large project came from the various sources of Sandy relief moneys that have been given to Long Beach.
Culling of dead trees is necessary. This is especially so in urban and suburban areas, where the normal processes of tree re-generation cannot take place naturally. Even a dead tree services the natural needs of birds and tree-climbing mammals and helps prevent soil erosion. However, dead trees or dying trees detract from the appearance of our neighborhoods and are potentially dangerous were they to fall or lose a large branch. While the removal of trees is a necessary evil, I only hope that the job shows a preferential option for the tree to stand, rather than get “cut-happy” (cut-happy is a possibility especially if the contractor is paid per tree.)
Trees are necessary for shade in our beach environment. They provide cool refreshment from the baking Summer, and also buffet the winds of Fall and Winter. They are beautiful trims to our homes, provide privacy, and offers protection for our homes from the elements. Trees encourage bird and mammal life that contribute to make the community attractive and interesting. Birds and mammals living among us take part in the natural cycles of scavenging and seed distribution.
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So if it is given that trees must be removed, I ask the City and its contracted tree-remover to make these considerations:
1. Give a living tree the benefit of the doubt before removing it.
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2. Do not take a tree down to accommodate a commercial storefront owner who simply wants more exposure, as has been done in the past.
3. Save aside money to replace one tree for every tree removed.
4. Replant with trees most native to the barrier beach or at least those most resistant to salt, sun and wind (such as Pitch Pine, White Oak, Scarlet Oak, Dwarf Chestnut, Post Oak and Tupelo.)
5. Make the downed tree parts and mulch accessible for taking by Long Beachers to use in their fireplaces, wood stoves and for garden mulching and compose.
6. Offer incentives to home owners who want to plant a new tree on curbsides that are not slated for replacement of a removed tree.
Most of us will not see the full maturity of the “reforestation” of Long Beach in our life-times. This project is for the future of our community. I urge the City to accommodate the transition with as much consideration as possible to preserve that which stands.
