Larry Elkins says he wants Athens to be a “tree city” as much as anyone in the citizens group formed to save the city’s old trees.
But as the manager of the Street and Sanitation Department, he also has the task of cutting down trees that may be harmful to residents.
Faced with having to cut two of the city’s old trees — one on Jefferson Street directly across from First United Methodist Church and another at W. Bryan and N. Jefferson streets — Elkins called for backup.
Doug Chapman with the Limestone County office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System inspected the trees and determined the oak across from the church is dead and should be removed. The second tree is in “perilous condition,” Chapman stated in a letter to Elkins and City Council member Milly Caudle, adding it is decaying and cannot be saved. It, too, should be cut.
“I could almost cry to see these die,” Elkins said. “I hate it. I hate to see a beautiful tree decline and die.”
Chapman agreed, saying it is a “great loss,” but that “public safety and maintenance of utility services is of primary concern.”
Elkins said the drought has affected local trees.
“The last three years of drought and last year’s late freeze put so much stress on these trees, they can’t take it,” he said.
Elkins said the trees will be cut within the next two weeks.
Local News
Cutting of two oaks necessary, officials report
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Morning Update for May 30, 2012
VIRAL VIDEO OF THE DAY
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Council pledges to help historic projects
The council unanimously decided to give $10,000 toward work being done on the Beaty Mason Home and $10,000 to the Trinity School/Fort Henderson Project.
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Alabama student kicks off National Spelling Bee
Thirteen-year-old Kevin Lazenby of Opelika, Ala., stepped to the microphone Wednesday morning at a convention center outside Washington and correctly spelled "witticism."
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Romney clinches nomination, but Trump overshadows
Mitt Romney has won the Republican presidential nomination after years of fighting, though his triumph was partially overshadowed by the celebrity businessman who helped him along the way.
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Fire destroys unoccupied mobile home
Fire destroyed a mobile home Tuesday morning, which the owner had just moved to a lot in eastern Limestone County.
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Burial detail seeks new members
The detail, which provides free military honors for families who request it, typically serves at 50 to 60 funerals per year. This year, Keyes said, the group has provided honors at more than 40 funerals already.
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Ardmore Welcome Center turns 35
On Thursday, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Center will celebrate its 35th anniversary and the public is invited.
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Governor kills bill on tax appeals
Business groups pushing the legislation say they will try again in the next legislative session.
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17 veterans assistance offices closing in Alabama
The offices are being closed because of severe funding cuts to agencies funded by the state General Fund budget.
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