This is the following letter we received from MnDOT about the recent tree removal at the City Park: MnDOT maintenance crews desire the removal of pine and spruce trees along Minnesota Avenue in Walker, MN east of 2nd Street. MnDOT understands that these mature conifers provide value as habitat and screening, but most importantly, in the past the conifers brought aesthetic value to the landscape. However, the aesthetic value is diminishing as the conifers age and decline. In addition these large, aging conifers growing under less than ideal conditions are in close proximity to traffic lanes which presents liabilities. General notes: With the exception of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), conifers native to Minnesota prefer cool, well drained soils providing there is adequate moisture. Urban roadside conditions typically do not provide this environment but rather the trees end up in hot, relatively dry often excessively drained, compacted soils and are subjected to winter deicing chemicals and other pollutants. Under ideal conditions red pine (Pinus resinosa) has a life expectancy of 150 years followed by slow decline. But, in the current roadside setting with hotter, drier than normal soils, compacted soils and frequent root disturbances these trees are experiencing a shorter than average life expectancy and are currently declining. White spruce (Picea glauca) of approximately 100-250 years old is not uncommon, however; roadside conditions are stressing these trees to the point that several have begun to decline. The trees identified for removal are older, larger trees that are showing signs of stress and age. Branch loss and dieback, main stem damage and general decline are obvious on many of the individuals in this group. With that in mind MnDOT is pursuing removal of these trees at this time. Stated below are reasons to support the removal of these conifers: 1. The conifers are located in what is referred to as a safety zone. Even at lower highway speeds of 30 mph the conifers in this line are very close to the road leaving motorists little time to react or correct their path if they exit the roadway. 2. The lack of curb and gutter in this location presents a couple of problems. a. First, without curb and gutter vehicles more easily exit the roadway and could potentially strike one or more of these trees. Curb and gutter can help slow, stop or divert a sliding vehicle thus preventing potential collisions with off the road objects such as trees. b. Second, future construction will likely include widening of the road for the addition of curb and gutter. The line of conifers will be negatively impacted, as they likely have been in the past, by root cutting, root removal and soil compaction. 3. As the conifers continue to decline, more high risk scenarios will be presented to passing motorists with limb drops caused by wind or heavy wet snow events and potential tree failures during wind and summer storm events. 4. Location of the conifers limits snow storage availability. During winter snow events, moving snow off of the road surface and away from the side of the roadway is critical. 5. Passage of oversize loads can be hampered by the presence of these conifers close to the traffic lanes and the branching overhead. 6. The aesthetic value of the trees has been diminished. While the trees may have been a majestic symbol of the Northwood’s that time has passed as the trees continue to decline. Therefore, it is MnDOT’s intent to remove conifers east of 2nd Street along Minnesota Avenue (MN 371) in Walker, Minnesota. Many of the trees are in MnDOT’s right-of-way; however, there are other trees nearby that may be outside of that right-of-way. MnDOT would like to cooperatively pursue additional tree removals outside of the MN 371 right-of-way in connection with this work.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 19:06:45 +0000