News Trees vs. sidewalk: Vinton man urging council to side with trees

For many years, the locust trees along Fourth Street between A and B avenues coexisted peacefully with the brick sidewalks around them.

But now the trees have grown so much that their roots are beginning to damage the sidewalk that surrounds them. The tight space is also affecting the growth of the trees, which were planted during the beautification project of 2000.

Some city leaders say the only way to solve the problem is to cut down the trees and replace them will smaller trees or something else.

But Mike Elwick disagrees.

While visiting Chicago recently, Elwick saw how the trees there are surrounded by a mulch that can withstand walking. He is offering to remove the bricks and replace them with a similar kind of mulch, and to pay for the entire project himself.

After the city council meeting on Thursday, Elwick said he had been told to let the city officials deal with it. But on Friday, he said he had met with Mayor John Watson, who gave him two weeks to convince the city council that his plan would work.

Elwick said he found it ironic that shortly after the city would earn another "Tree City" designation, leaders would want to remove trees.

Reader Comments:

Kudos to Mike Elwick for his willingness to step up and take some positive action rather than cutting down trees. Vinton's beautiful trees are the backdrop of my entire childhood, and I hope city officials can see the value of keeping these recent additions and giving them some room to grow.