Downtown construction topples trees, changes look of 5th Street

By Tim Freeland - Posted on 27 July 2008

Before and after pictures of a dozen 30 year old Ash trees being removed from 5th street July 25th 2008.

I work on 5th street in downtown Northfield and was privy to the vast and rapid change that took place on Thursday and Friday of this past week. I am attaching a photo gallery of 5th street construction along with just one video of the tree felling. There are more under my youtube collection.

On Thursday they removed the cement from the road exposing the soil below. I have no idea how long it had been since that dirt has seen sunlight. An enormous piece of machinery pulled it right up and dumped it into waiting trucks. I don't know where that cement went.

On Friday they cut down trees. I learned that the Ash's, planted in 1978 has been determined to be susceptible to disease, had a root structure that was at risk during the utility and road re-work and were causing problems by growing into the buildings. Some say that the city did not anticipate their height when originally planted. After the work is complete, they will be replanting mature trees, which I sure won't be over 12-15 ft.

I admit that I felt sick to watch these trees fall. It changed the look of our street, the amount of light that comes into our building and the amount our air conditioners must now work. It was surreal to watch 30 years of growth gone in an hour.