A mature Honey Locust tree outside Shreve, Crump and Low at 125 Greenwich Ave that was the subject of a tree hearing last year has been cut down.
At the hearing last August, numerous people spoke passionately about saving the tree after it was posted for removal.
The removal was requested by the owner of Shreve, Crump & Low, Brad Walker, who said its roots were impacting the sidewalk and rain water was coming into the building.
The tree, “Gleditsia Triacanthos” had a DBH (diameter at breast height) of 26 inches.
Last August, the tree warden ruled that the town DPW should explore whether it would be possible to retain the tree in a healthy manner while achieving the goals of safety and property concerns and the tree had a reprieve.
Kramer said at the time, “If after working together with other Town departments and non-profit organizations no reasonable solution is found and the agreement is the honey locust tree’s removal is necessary, the existing tree well is to be retained. It should be made larger, keeping consistent with the other newly enlarged tree wells.”
He specified that a Quercus phellos (Willow Oak) of no less than a three-inch caliper be planted back in place.
Subscribe to the GFP daily newsletter.
This week, Dr. Kramer explained that, after arborist consultation and various reviews by DPW staff, the ability to achieve a level sidewalk would not be possible without detrimental damage to the tree roots.
“The tree well will be retained and upon completion of the new sidewalk and corner a new 3” diameter willow oak will be planted,” Kramer said.
Honey locust stump. March 12, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Honey locust stump. March 12, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
The Greenwich Tree Conservancy issued a statement on Friday saying they made every effort to work closely with DPW and the tree warden, presenting multiple suggestions and ideas to try to save the Honey Locust.
“Despite our best efforts, town engineers and the tree warden ultimately determined that the necessary repairs to the sidewalk, current drainage problems, ADA requirements, and the installation of a new catch basin and curbing bump outs that are planned would have caused irreparable and severe root damage,” they said.
“Ultimately, all proposed alternatives were rejected because they determined that the work could not be performed without compromising the tree’s safety and survival, and therefore it was concluded that the tree could not be saved. The Greenwich Tree Conservancy is very saddened by the loss of this prominent tree and will advocate for a substantial replacement to be put in its place.”
See also:
Town Tree Warden Rules Sympathetically to Decades Old Honey Locust on Greenwich Ave
August 2024
August 2024