Safety Concerns Prompt Removal of Two Trees in Nash Square and Moore Square Beginning March 25

Jayne Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs

Prepared by:  David Blount, Public Affairs Specialist
March 22, 2013

For more information: Contact Cassie Schumacher-Georgopoulos, Parks and Recreation Department, 919-996-4797

Safety Concerns Prompt Removal of Two Trees in Nash Square and Moore Square Beginning March 25

 

Two Willow Oak trees that have survived ages of urban life will be removed from Downtown’s two squares next week.

The City of Raleigh’s Urban Forestry staff recently conducted a hazard tree assessment of the large trees located in Nash and Moore squares. The assessment was conducted using the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) Tree Hazard Evaluation Form. Each tree was assessed visually by City ISA-certified arborists from the ground and by aerial inspection. The use of a resistograph and sounding hammers were used to detect decay and cavities located on the tree’s interior. A resistograph is an instrument used to detect decay, rot and stability of a tree.

 

Hazard determinations were based on the likelihood of tree failure, the size of the part most likely to fail, and the number of people and property potentially affected by tree failure. Removal of dead, dangerous, or diseased limbs was conducted as they were encountered. The majority of trees in both squares were observed to be in good condition. 

 

As a result of the hazard tree assessment, one willow oak located in the south central segment of Nash Square and one willow oak located in the southeast corner of Moore Square were deemed hazards and warrant removal. Arborists from the North Carolina Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry also reviewed the two trees and made the following comments: “While we did not see the termites noted in the Moore Square tree, we observed that the broken or removed limbs in both trees exposed internal decay. It seems apparent that pruning or reducing the crown of these trees would not mitigate the failure potential the trees present, and the cost and appearance of such pruning efforts would be negative aesthetically and economically. The resistograph readings confirm the weakened structural condition of these trees.”

 

The removal of the two trees is expected to begin on March 25. While it is unfortunate to see these two trees removed, the City’s Urban Forestry staff has been planting trees in Nash Square to ensure the continued canopy as trees in the historic square mature and decline. The Moore Square Master Plan also proposes planting for the next generation of canopy trees as part of redevelopment. 

 

Further information about the trees and soil in Moore Square will be presented to the City Council on April 2, at 1 p.m.

 

The Moore Square Comprehensive Tree and Soil Strategy will be presented by Christopher Counts of CCSGC PC and Jim Urban of Urban Trees + Soils.The Moore Square Willow Oak is judged to be 200 years old. The Nash Square oak is between 100 and 150 years of age.