Kittanning gets to root of pear tree problems
KITTANNING -- Borough workers yesterday began removing the decorative Bradley pear trees that line Market Street. Street department foreman Jim Mechling and two workers began removing a tree near the Visitors Center at 7 a.m. as a "test" removal.
Monday, Mechling told council that when a tree had been removed last week at the intersection of Market and Water streets, the procedure cracked parts of the concrete sidewalk. He asked for permission to remove one more tree by using a different technique. Council sanctioned the plan and yesterday, all went according to plan.
"We first used a jack hammer to cut out a section of sidewalk around the tree," Mechling said. "Then we used a back hoe to lift off the heavy metal grating and an ornamental grating ring. We removed some decorative bricks then shoveled out a good bit of soil by hand before attaching a chain to the tree stump that was used to pull it up. It should take us about a half hour each to remove the remaining trees and we won't crack any sidewalk sections."
Mechling said as each tree is removed the soil is replaced and temporary cover of asphalt millings is placed over each section. Earlier this year, Mechling used a chain saw to cut the approximately 16 trees leaving about a 5-foot high section. Council decided late last year to remove the trees after receiving numerous complaints from several Market Street merchants who said the trees blocked their business signs. Council member Mary Piluso said other residents complained that the trees dropped a small, non-edible fruit on the sidewalks that made a mess. She added the trees had also grown up into power lines, creating a hazardous condition.
Piluso said council has had some discussions on what type of tree should be used to replace the Bradford pear trees but to date has made no decision. Council must also decide whether to plant new trees in plastic or wood boxes to facilitate pruning and removal should the latter be necessary. She said she hopes council will make a decision on replacement trees by fall which is a proper planting time for deciduous trees.
