Comments on: Laura Street deforestation

By: Gerry

Gerry — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:48:31 +0000

We walked back from the Landing last night and noticed something else. The sidewalk is brick and then large pavers. In both cases, the sidewalk is wavy. Some of the pavers are actually potential toe stubbers and jogger-stoppers. This is either from the Oaks or from poor underlayment. I suspect the Oaks. Too bad. So long as they plant them. Hollies would be good. Like palms, low maintenance and evergreen, but they are much slower growing, so they should start with some decent sizes.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:49:26 +0000

I work at Bank of America too. I was talking to Elton (the hot dog man who’s been on that corner for 10 years.) He said the maintenance man for Parmenter (the building owner) told him the oak tree roots had begun causing problems with the plumbing and wiring (which may be why they are working on them.) And, as James said, oak trees should not have been put in planters. Elton said he was told they are planting holly trees. 15″ diameter (I assume they meant the size of the pots) so they won’t be very big at first. Time will tell if Elton was right. But my money’s on him.

By: James

James — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:59:46 +0000

I was shocked when I first saw the trees gone. But, we have to remember oak trees can’t stay planted in planters forever, eventually the root system would bust through the granite. I say plant the palm trees…..better than oaks in Downtown.

By: jerrycornwell(porgie)

jerrycornwell(porgie) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:37:19 +0000

yeaah, believe its a game of numbers, palm trees are low maintenance, no leaves to blow, which oaks are high on that end
with at times daily maintenance with the sidewalk blowers. i thinkthe question is who planted the high maintenance in the first place!

By: Joshtank

Joshtank — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 20:24:50 +0000

Cabbage Palm! Yes! - Very good point on the pricing/maintenence.. and most importantly ‘native’ness!

By: tony

tony — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:34:24 +0000

I am back on the lifestyles machine that faces Laura. I choose to watch the trio slowly fall down instead of how the BOA meats the street. Tree hacking downtown is now more common than booger pickers at rush hour.

I do appreciate the leds are back on the main st bridge. Such that they are.

By: Annie

Annie — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:46:57 +0000

It killed my day a little bit to see those trees ripped out.

The hot dog guy looks like he misses the shade!

By: Jimmy Orth

Jimmy Orth — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:26:33 +0000

I was told by a person who works in the public works dept. that the type of palm trees that are used along Riverside Ave. can cost as much as $9K each. Also, those palms are not native and cost up to $500/tree/year to maintain. The state tree, the cabbage palm, is less expensive and doesn’t require as much maintenance. I am tired of trying to look like we are Dubai or some place other than good ol’ Florida.

By: James Shanks

James Shanks — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:00:20 +0000

My office is right behind that lamp. It also gives the building (owned by Parmenter Realty) to find a cheaper company to get plants for. In my office alone it costed $200/mo for plant maintenance. Not anymore! All gone!

By: Joey Marchy

Joey Marchy — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:49:47 +0000

Thanks for the tip roadking!