A TREE lopper has come under fire for not finishing the work he was paid to do.

Barellan Point pensioners Len and Dot Neal said they gave a man $2600 to remove a 40ft gum tree from their backyard.

The man - known only to them as 'Joel the tree lopper' - had turned up on their doorstep in August offering tree removal services.

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"The gum tree in our yard had started to shed branches which were becoming a hazard," Mr Neal said.

"I was interested in having Joel take a look at it to quote me a price. He said it would cost $5000. I said 'forget it'."

After a bit of back-and-forth negotiation it was agreed Joel would do the job for $2800.

Mr Neal said removal of the tree began on August 20. However, not only was the work yet to be finished, it was starting to look like it never would be.

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After paying tree lopper $2600, couple still has load of timber

Published September 24. 2014 4:00AM Updated September 24. 2014 10:26AM

The town is preparing to contract for tree removal work for up to 15 trees for Goose Lane and Half Mile Road.

Thirteen of the trees will need total removal, according to Environmental Planner Kevin Magee. Two other trees may not have to be completely removed, but need major work, said Magee.

The cost is expected to be approximately $14,000, according to Magee, who made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen at its meeting on Sept. 15.

The selectmen tabled action on the matter because they wanted to have a further review of the companies who have expressed interest in doing the work.

"But we can't wait too long," said First Selectman Joseph Mazza. "We want to get this done before the harsher weather hits."

Mazza said it is likely the selectmen would move ahead on hiring a contractor at an upcoming board meeting.

Magee said the total budget for work on tree removal this year is about $55,000, "so this is about one-third of that total."

The work has to be done, Magee told the selectman, "because the trees are dead or dying. There really is no other option."

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Officials Mull Tree Removal

FLORENCE: Tree surgery upsetting residents

DATE POSTED: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 3:13 PM EDT

By Amy Batista, Special Writer

"I would like to know how this was arrived at," said John Smith.

He raised concerns about the emergency tree work that was being approved on the agenda later in the evening for his street which he said is "soon to be Bare Boulevard."

"You just met tonight with the concerned residents," Mr. Smith said. "This was our first opportunity as a group to talk to anyone and youve already made the decision that you were going to proceed with this."

A resolution was approved for an emergency expenditure and award to a tree service company for tree removal, Boulevard Street paving and sidewalk replacement.

Mayor Craig Wilkie said there has been a review of the arborists report which identified the trees which are in need of being removed.

"I dont know whether the arborist report was provided to you or not," said Mayor Wilkie. "Tonight," Mr. Smith replied.

According to the resolution, the townships engineer, Maser Consulting, had its certified arborist, Gustave DeBlasio, inspect and evaluate the trees in the first phase of the paving project from West Front Street to West Third Street.

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FLORENCE: Tree surgery upsetting residents

After spending a day in a tree on E Avenue in Coronado, resident Dan'l Steward came down after city officials said they would stay the cutting of the trees until further discussion with residents.

CORONADO Two men protesting the removal of trees on a residential street in Coronado were back on the ground Tuesday after spending the night in the branches, and work to fell the eucalyptus has halted until the matter can be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

Neighbors rallied Tuesday at the foot of the tree where Danl Steward, a Coronado resident for 16 years, had perched since early Monday to call attention to how the city decided to remove four sugar gum eucalyptus trees on E Avenue. Steward was joined by Ryan Gillespie, who hung a hammock in another tree Monday night. The city said the trees are a hazard and have to come down.

The protest drew Mayor Casey Tanaka to the tree Monday evening, where he and Steward agreed on involving the community in future decisions about tree removal. Before descending the tree Tuesday morning, Steward told those gathered that the protest succeeded.

We lost two trees yesterday, and the city was scheduled to come back and cut this tree and the remaining tree, he said. Today, they have canceled that activity.

Steward acknowledged that the two trees still targeted by the city may yet come down because of safety concerns, but was pleased the community will have a voice going forward.

We take issue with the fact we were not involved, he said. We dont understand what the process was and, more importantly, what the options were or were not.

Residents were unaware the trees were being targeted for removal until the city delivered notifications to their homes earlier this month. Neighbors were upset that the decision to fell the trees was made by the city behind closed doors.

The City Council discussed the trees in closed sessions June 17 and Aug. 19. City Manager Blair King said the matter fell under the category of anticipated litigation after the city received a complaint from a resident in May. The states open meeting law allows for litigation to be discussed privately.

Agendas from those two meetings list one potential case of anticipated litigation, and minutes note only that the mayor reported out from closed session that direction was given to city staff members.

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Protest halts removal of trees

After spending a day in a tree on E Avenue in Coronado, resident Dan'l Steward came down after city officials said they would stay the cutting of the trees until further discussion with residents.

CORONADO Two men protesting the removal of trees on a residential street in Coronado were back on the ground Tuesday after spending the night in the branches, and work to fell the eucalyptus has halted until the matter can be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

Neighbors rallied Tuesday at the foot of the tree where Danl Steward, a Coronado resident for 16 years, had perched since early Monday to call attention to how the city decided to remove four sugar gum eucalyptus trees on E Avenue. Steward was joined by Ryan Gillespie, who hung a hammock in another tree Monday night. The city said the trees are a hazard and have to come down.

The protest drew Mayor Casey Tanaka to the tree Monday evening, where he and Steward agreed on involving the community in future decisions about tree removal. Before descending the tree Tuesday morning, Steward told those gathered that the protest succeeded.

We lost two trees yesterday, and the city was scheduled to come back and cut this tree and the remaining tree, he said. Today, they have canceled that activity.

Steward acknowledged that the two trees still targeted by the city may yet come down because of safety concerns, but was pleased the community will have a voice going forward.

We take issue with the fact we were not involved, he said. We dont understand what the process was and, more importantly, what the options were or were not.

Residents were unaware the trees were being targeted for removal until the city delivered notifications to their homes earlier this month. Neighbors were upset that the decision to fell the trees was made by the city behind closed doors.

The City Council discussed the trees in closed sessions June 17 and Aug. 19. City Manager Blair King said the matter fell under the category of anticipated litigation after the city received a complaint from a resident in May. The states open meeting law allows for litigation to be discussed privately.

Agendas from those two meetings list one potential case of anticipated litigation, and minutes note only that the mayor reported out from closed session that direction was given to city staff members.

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Protest halts removal of trees in Coronado

Almanac

News - September 24, 2014

by Sandy Brundage

A group of residents had decried the removal of the tree on short notice, but arborist Brian Henry explained that the pine was falling down at an ever-increasing rate, creating a safety hazard that obviated the need for a 15-day advance notice.

The city was alerted to the hazard by another resident, who noticed that the tall pine tree had started to lean. The anchoring roots had torn and risen up through the soil, allowing the tree to tilt over the park's water fountain, lawn and walking area, Mr. Henry told the residents. The city decided to proceed with the removal when the tree's lean increased over a short span of five hours.

The tree may be gone, but its wood will live on. The city plans to recycle the pine for use in other projects, Mr. Henry said.

On Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled discuss ways to re-use the pine's wood. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Menlo Park Senior Center at 110 Terminal Ave.

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Tree protest ends peacefully; tree cut down for safety

CORONADO (CBS 8) - A temporary resolution is reached in a neighborhood dispute that drove one man up a tree. A Coronado man spent the night in a tree to protest the city's plans to remove them. For now -- they'll stay up, so he came down.

"I'm Dan'l Steward, I'm a reluctant tree hugger," he said.

If you build it, they will come. In this case, if you climb it, they will watch.

"There was only one recourse that I saw to preserve the trees, so I am here," protester Dan'l Steward said.

Retired Navy SEAL, Dan'l Steward, spent the night tethered to a century-old Eucalyptus tree in front of his Coronado home to stop the city from cutting down a piece of history.

Young and old, a group of roughly 50 supporters rallied at the foot of the tree Tuesday morning.

"They're so beautiful and not only do we respect," Coronado High School junior, Cheyne Ostrander said.

They're objecting to the city's decision to remove four old-growth trees. To give you some perspective, Woodrow Wilson was the President when the 100 year old trees were planted.

"We're concerned because they've been here since 1971," Coronado resident, Tom Watson said.

Officials say there is a risk of the historic trees' large branches falling and causing damage to the 100 block of E Avenue,which is known to residents as, "the street with the kissing trees."

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Rally for man living in tree to protest city removal

After careful review and consideration of public safety concerns, the City has decided to remove four of the 18 mature Sugar Gum eucalyptus trees from the public right of way in the 100 block of E Avenue.

The nearly 60-foot-tall trees provide beauty and shade but they also pose an unacceptable risk to public safety.The City has worked tirelessly to maintain its urban forest of more than 8,700 trees that grow on public areas, including parkways. Coronado became a Tree City USA in 1984 for its active urban forest management program and, in 1993, formed the Street Tree Committee to provide input to the City Council and educate the public on the role trees play in the urban environment. The Committee also maintains the Tree Master Plan and a list of approved street trees.

Coronado actively monitors, maintains and inspects its trees, particularly the larger ones. The City does not treat tree removals lightly. However, public safety is the Citys highest priority.

Eucalyptus trees are known to drop branches in the summer or to fall over without warning. Several California cities have had serious injuries, even deaths, due to falling trees and limbs. With some limbs weighing hundreds of pounds and trees more than a ton, the risk of keeping the four trees is considerable and not worth taking.

In response to a concerned resident, the City conducted an assessment of its 31 eucalyptus trees. The Citys certified arborist found that all but four trees in the 100 block of E Avenue presented a low level of risk. The four exceptions presented a risk calling for their removal. The arborist found that wind gusts of 30 mph could overcome the load bearing capacity of the trees. Trees eventually need to be removed and replaced toward the end of their useful life in the landscape. The four trees to be removed were found to have one or more of the following conditions: decay; recent trunk failure; multiple co-dominant trunks; poor structure with decayed wounds; irregular decay patterns; reduced tree crowns.

Within a few weeks, the trees will be removed. Careful maintenance over the life of a tree can reduce hazards. The City will prune several of the remaining eucalyptus trees to improve their health and lower the risk of the trees falling or losing limbs.

Residents who live on or around the 100 block of E Avenue have been notified via a hand-delivered notification letter. A meeting will be held for local residents on Wednesday, Sept. 10, to address questions and concerns.City staff will discuss the matter of replacement possibilities at the Citys Street Tree Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11, to obtain the committees recommendation for the selection of any new trees. The City Council has requested that another species of eucalyptus be considered. The community is invited to attend.

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City Plans Eucalyptus Tree Removal

Great Falls, VA (PRWEB) September 23, 2014

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We hope our loyal customers take full advantage of this annual fall promotion, said Vic Price, owner of Vics Tree Service. Our customers are the core of our business, and this 15 percent discount is one small way were saying thank you.

Vic's Tree Service is a full service tree company, and offers tree removal, tree trimming, general landscape cleanup, and fertilization. With more than 35 years of experience, Vics is dedicated to safely preserving the integrity and beauty of trees.

Learn more about Vics Tree Service at http://www.vicstreeservice.com.

About Vic's Tree Service

Vics Tree Service caters to the residents of Northern Virginia in the form of excellent tree care and maintenance. They specialize in enhancing the aesthetic and functional value of their customers landscape, while simultaneously improving the health of their trees. They are fully licensed and insured, and provide exceptional service around the clock. For more information about Vics Tree Service, please visit http://www.vicstreeservice.com.

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Vic's Tree Service of Northern Virginia Announces Fall 2014 Promotion

Published: September 22, 2014 | Last Modified: September 22, 2014 11:23PM

By Eric Vo Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD Phase two of the tree planting program is underway, as contractors began cutting down the 38 pear and oak trees in downtown Wallingford Monday two weeks before Celebrate Wallingford.

Starting from the top of Center Street by Simpson Court, contractors from New Haven-based Paradise Landscaping Tree Service made their way down the road cutting down the trees marked for removal.

The trees were planted in the mid-1990s along Center Street from Route 5 to North Main Street. Earlier this month, Public Works Director Henry McCully decided to remove the trees, despite opposition from the public.

McCully is on vacation until Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

The trees couldnt be removed until the town received an encroachment permit from the state Department of Transportation. Officials from Wallingford Center Inc. asked town officials to wait to remove the trees until after Celebrate Wallingford, which will be held Oct. 4-5.

Im disappointed, WCI Executive Director Liz Landow said Monday. Theyre down two weeks before Celebrate Wallingford.

Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said the trees had to be removed sooner because the town had a time frame to follow.

If we waited until after Celebrate Wallingford, it would not be enough time to take the trees down and plant them, Dickinson said. They have to be planted by the third week of October.

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Center Street tree removal begins in Wallingford