Lakewood, Tree City USA, Faces Challenge Of Aging Trees

Just like people, trees age and decline in health. Lakewood, proclaimed "Tree City, USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation for 33 years, is currently faced with caring for a large aging tree population, the trimming and the removal of the trees if necessart. Unfortunately, the City can only handle dangerous and potentially dangerous trees that affect the public. Lakewood has no program in place for these types of trees on private property. While some cities do have programs that assist the tree owner in regards to obtaining qualified tree cutters and financial assistance, and a vehicle for concerned affected property owners to report private property dangerous trees, Lakewood has no such program. Yes, there are legal avenues affected property owners can utilize but that can tie up precious time to remedy the hazard.  In addition, a court order to the tree owner to remove the tree does not put money in the tree owner’s pocket to carry out the order.  This situation may leave the tree owner with one option, to abandon the property with the dangerous tree still in the ground.  

Please show Lakewood you are concerned about the problem of no program in place for dangerous trees on private property by contacting any or all of the following:  your Council person, and Lakewood Departments:  Mayor, Law, and Forestry.  These contacts are easy to make through the Lakewood website, onelakewood.com.  Please take some time to do this.  You may even save a life as fallen limbs and trees are dangerous.