Nov 13, 2009 5:40 pm US/Eastern
Worcester Residents Upset With City's Tree Limits
WORCESTER (WBZ) ―
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Trees were planted in Worcester to help replace the thousands that were cut down during a beetle infestation.
WBZ
In an effort to stop the spread of the
Asian Longhorn Beetle, Worcester officials have cut down more than 25 thousand trees, mostly maples.
But city officials have made a lot of residents mad, by not allowing them to
plant new trees where there are utility lines.
"I understand their reason," says Christine Ward of Hillcroft St. "But those maple trees they cut down were here for 80 to 90 years, and never interfered with the utility lines."
On the side of Hillcroft St. where there are not utility lines, the city and USDA officials have planted hundreds of oak trees and sweet gum trees. Across the street, there is nothing.
"It comes down to property values," says Dermot O'Donnell. "And this past summer, you could fry an egg on the street, with no trees to provide shade. The trees also help disperse rain, and prevent flooding."
Yet O'Donnell's front yard is without a single tree.
Still, Mayor Konstantina Lukes says nothing is etched in stone just yet.
"We have to replace those trees," said Mayor Lukes. "It becomes a quality of life issue...the USDA has to understand the trees are an asset to urban life."
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