Description
The construction work on the Yale Museum of Art is almost complete. To my dismay, there are no street trees being replanted where there used to be several good-sized trees. Why wouldn't Yale replace the trees they removed? It detracts from the street, sidewalk, and building and exposes the long benches to full sun where it was once so nice to stop in the shade.
9 Comments
Wizwaz
I agree. I think flowering pear trees are nice.
Wes
Any comments from Yale or the city explaining why the trees were removed and not replaced would be welcome!
mapninja
My guess is that the people who plant the street trees for the city are already stretched thin trying to keep up with the TreeHaven 10K goals (10000 trees in 5 years!). I'm sure they would welcome volunteers who want to help plant trees! You can contact the Urban Resource Initiative, for details. http://environment.yale.edu/uri/
Wes
@mapninja-
Good guess, but I'm afraid that's not the issue. there are no tree pits or planting boxes to accommodate trees. Someone mentioned that during the renovation, a tunnel was expanded for storage between the BAC and Yale Art. That is not a good reason to eliminate all three trees, is it?
resident (Guest)
the trees should be brought back.
the problem is that nobody who works at yale and is in charge of the place walks anywhere. they all make $100K or more and have private limos or parking spaces.
if they did walk more than once a week or so, they would understand that the walkability of a town like new haven, at least during summer months, is entirely dependent on street trees. people plan their walking routes based on trees and they avoid places that do not have them.
Arborcide (Guest)
I don't know why URI and the City are bothering to plant street trees, as the city, Public Works Department goes out of their way to kill newly planted trees by stapling the trees to death. In addition, all of the trees in College Woods, with one exception (the tree is surrounded by a memorial stone and plantings) have been girdled, i.e. the bark encircling the base of the tree has been sliced through, by careless grass cutting from Parks / Public Works Department workers. All of these trees will surely die from this kind of malicious abuse.
edgewood (Guest)
I was initially disappointed that the trees were removed, but I have noticed a positive change: the benches alongside the art gallery have become a very popular sitting spot when the weather is nice. People really do like to sit in the sun, and it adds to the life on the street.
Acknowledged Rob Smuts
Yale is planting trees. You'll notice the sidewalk cuts there right now. Restoring the trees was part of their site plan approval by the City, though I am sure the University would have done so even if not required.
Wes
I'm glad to see 2 tree pits waiting for planting. 2 out of 3 trees replaced is not bad!