25 Jacarandas Get Temporary Reprieve

The 25 jacarandas lining Rose Drive and Bastanchury Road got a stay of execution this week when the City Council voted 3 to 2 to reconsider its decision to chop them down.

The original decision came last month after some residents complained that the trees’ leaves and small, sticky flowers were littering backyards and choking spa filters.

Councilman Henry W. Wedaa, who had been absent from the earlier session, raised the issue again Tuesday night, saying he had 17 phone calls from people who are opposed to the tree removal, scheduled for later this month.

“People stopped me everywhere to talk about this,” he said.

Admitting that he is “somewhat of a tree-hugger,” Wedaa said he feels that removing the trees would diminish the beauty of the neighborhood.

City staff members also recommended keeping the jacarandas because they are healthy and full-grown. Crews generally do not removed trees unless they are diseased.

Councilman Mark Schwing, who had voted to cut down the trees, made the motion to reconsider, saying, “There’s a whole lot of people who’d like this reheard.”

Mayor Ken Ryan, who cast the solitary vote last month to keep the jacarandas, said he still thinks “these trees are one of the reasons our city is so beautiful.”

Council members John M. Gullixson and Barbara W. Kiley stood by their earlier vote, saying nearly all homeowners in the area want the trees removed.

Like the council, residents are sharply divided.

“These trees have caused nothing but damage,” Marion Whisler told the council Tuesday. “Sidewalks are cracked. Fences are split. It’s a big problem for us.”

But Carol Cantwell pleaded for the jacarandas. “They’re messy and inconvenient,” she said. “They may create more work for everybody. But that is a not a reason to cut down beautiful trees.”