Wallingford Center Inc.: start tree removal after Celebrate Wallingford

Published: September 11, 2014 | Last Modified: September 12, 2014 07:47PM

By Eric Vo Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD Phase two of the towns tree planting program is moving forward, but history is repeating itself as Wallingford Center Inc. is again asking town officials to delay the removal of trees downtown. WCI officials would prefer the town to wait until after Celebrate Wallingford is held next month.

Public Works Director Henry McCully, who is also the towns tree warden, made the decision earlier this week to remove 38 pear and oak trees in downtown Wallingford. The trees were planted in the mid-1990s along Center Street from Route 5 to North Main Street.

McCully and Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. did not return a call for comment Thursday.

With no time specified from McCully, its unclear when the town will begin to remove Center Street trees. The first phase lasted several months, however.

Wallingford Center Inc. officials said theyve asked the tree warden to delay the tree removal until after Celebrate Wallingford. The festival will be held Oct. 4 and 5.

We would rather have all of the trees not be removed at all. Were holding that position, WCI President Steve Lazarus said. With that said, were asking for a delay in removing the trees until after Celebrate Wallingford that certainly makes sense.

Dickinson said previously the trees have to be replaced every 15 years because they grow too large, blocking signs and store fronts. The tree roots also cause sidewalks to become damaged.

The Center Street trees will be replaced with pear and cherry trees, and town officials said the new species will improve the aesthetics of the downtown area.

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Wallingford Center Inc.: start tree removal after Celebrate Wallingford