Article and photographs copyright 2013 J.E. Ducey. All rights reserved.
An evaluation of trees to be destroyed in the Dundee business district found that many of the tress are in fine condition.
The review was done the morning of April 12th, with the assistance of Dr. David M. Sutherland, emeritus professor of botany at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Each tree was closely looked at to determine its condition.
Even before looking at the trees to be removed, Dr. Sutherland noted the few ash trees west of Pitch, and commented that they might be prone to injury by the emerald ash borer.
Across the street, the last tree on the west end of the area of interest, looked healthy, but not attractive due to extensive pruning. The next tree east, another locust was "not terribly healthy looking," Dr. Sutherland commented.
The next few locusts have been confined within a small growth area, surrounded by bricks and cement ... obviously a limiting situation.
A larger area of soil would be helpful for the survival of trees in this sort of urban setting.
At the intersection of 50th Street and Underwood Avenue, the trees looked fine, as we observed. One tree northward along 50th Street has had a lot of branches trimmed away, and one broken off, probably by a large vehicle.
This tree was "sad looking with its lower branches removed," Dr. Sutherland commented.
A linden on the south side of ABs, looked healthy, and was thriving at its spot where there was more dirt.
The tree outside the doors to Beer and Loathing, should not have been so confined by bricks. It is a prime example of constricting a tree's potential.
Continuing eastward in the morning, there was a local television station interviewing a proponent of the so-called improvement project.
Prominent onward near 49th Street were four large maple trees.
"Maple trees are not a good tree for neighborhoods," Sutherland said. There were four such trees here which were old and damaged. They "do not look good."
Older maple tree are prone to losing limbs, which might fall upon people or property during the weatherly storms typical of this area.
On the south side of Underwood Avenue, three or four trees, including a couple of ginkos, were in a nice condition, growing among an ample amount of dirt, associated with the lawn of a house. There was nothing to indicate that they were not healthy, were too old, or damaged in any manner.
North along 49th Street, the younger linden trees, looked "just fine."
By the end of our tree walk, the buzz saws were working along 49th Street, northward of Underwood Avenue.
Since all of these trees will soon be gone, the next questions might be:
- What sort of trees will be planted to replace the trees removed; and
- How many trees will be planted to replace the trees removed?
- Will the spots where replacement trees will be placed have the same sort of constricting brick and concrete features?
As the tree removal company finishes their work, why do they use blowers to move their debris onto adjacent property? It should be hauled away, not left behind for someone else to clean up!
Also, why did a company truck have to obstruct pedestrians trying to walk along the sidewalk? This is not only inconsiderate, but also illegal.
The only trees destroyed on Friday morning were those along North 49th Street.
Commentary continues after the Thursday evening gathering at 50th Street and Underwood Avenue. 
Television station interview pending on Friday morning.
