City to trim trees before winter hits

• Image

A road grader is positioned on a street Wednesday in northeast Jamestown to demonstrate the need to trim trees for large city street equipment. John M. Steiner The Sun
• Image

John M. Steiner / The Sun A street sweeper cleans an area in northeast Jamestown Wednesday where branches will have to be trimmed from trees.
• Image

Kevin Bennett, operator II for the Jamestown Street Department, holds a $400 bubble window Wednesday that was busted out from a sweeper recently after coming in contact with a large branch hanging over the roadway. John M. Steiner The Sun

Talk about it

The city of Jamestown will be taking action to remove any tree branches that could pose problems for city crews in the upcoming winter season.

In Jamestown 80 households have received letters notifying them that a tree in the boulevard poses a risk to a street sweeper or blader, said Vern Quam, city forester.

This allows for better clearance for street sweepers and snow blades. In the past branches have broken windows and mirrors and torn hydraulic lines on the machines, Quam said.

Quam said so far people have been receptive, since last year no letters were sent out.

“Everyone we talked to so far that has received a letter has been positive,” he said.

Quam has trained city crews to cut the branch back to the collar of the tree instead of trimming half a branch.

Last year city crews pruned trees that were too young, he said. Several people in the community were upset because the trees were pruned without notice.

“When you’re close to a boulevard there is no alternative,” he said of branch removal.

The forester said city crews will do the work, but people may want to call a licensed arborist to ensure a professional job.

Quam will inspect the tree in question and provide his recommendation. Removal costs of branches taken down are the responsibility of a property owner.

“There’s very few that can’t be pruned up to be aesthetically balanced and attractive,” he said.

Quam will be with crews to cut the trees if the owner doesn’t take responsibility after 30 days of receiving a letter.

To stave off any future problems Quam recommends property owners get their trees pruned if the trees have the potential to become an issue.

“They have to understand what we put up with, with our street crews and our equipment,” Quam said. “It’s a compromise.”

Quam would also like to see the hedges in alleys maintained better so garbage trucks and other vehicles can better navigate them.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, trees