| Author |
Message |
    
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1076
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 6:23 pm: |     |
I don't know... I had to remove a few trees in the front of my yard (pine trees, ugly and really messing up the whole 'look' of the house)... I'd like a tree out in front.
I will call and hopefully get a positive reply. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12375
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:28 pm: | |
OK, I was grinch-like this morning. I want the tree now. I do see it as I look out my front door, and I think it will look good.
Now I hope they don't take it away without talking to me! 
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Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1077
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:32 pm: | |
Hell Tom, if I had your address I'd have been there already to remove it.
Be careful what you wish for (or whine about!). |
Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 269
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:00 pm: | |
Tom: Tell them to take your tree out and give it to me. I asked for a tree 2 years ago and they put me on a waiting list. I finally got one this Summer. I went to Spain and when I came back it was in shock from drought. I soaked it every other day for a couple of weeks but we lost the patient. They have promised me another one, but I don't have it yet. Normally I'd say early Feb is not a good time to plant a tree, but what do I know, Personally, I love them and I'd take 2 if they'd let me and if I have to fix my sidewalk in 20 years, I'd be happy to oblige. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12377
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:02 pm: | |
Case, I'm in the book (and anywho). But now if my tree disappears, I'll be looking for you.
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Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 140
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:10 pm: | |
Joe R,
HA! I knew this Feb. planting business was crap. Tom you may just have to leave this to nature. Mother Earth has a way of working things out.
J.B. |
Elgato
Citizen
Username: Elgato
Post Number: 15
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:11 pm: | |
Jersey Boy, Haven't you seen the global warming link? I did my spring rake out on a nice weekend in January and put nice neat edges round the lawn. First time I've done garden work before March! Global warming or not, the ground's not nearly as cold and hard as it normally is this time of year. I guess that's why they're getting an early start.
Tom, all the raking will keep you fit and healthy in your old age, although judging by your new photo, you're turning the clock backward and won't be needing the exercise like the rest of us  and you have a few years to start saving for the sidewalk replacement, unlike the rest of us who have to fork out for the damage our inherited tree roots have caused.
On a very hot day last summer driving back thro' Union where there's a lot less trees I noticed that the temperature dropped almost 4 degrees as soon I was back in shady Maplewood. No kidding. |
Montagnard
Citizen
Username: Montagnard
Post Number: 1878
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 10:40 pm: | |
If you don't want the tree, your best bet is to drive over it shortly before Waste Management comes through with their truck. If they're ever asked, they'll claim it was broken before they arrived - but no one will believe them.
Then, call the town hall and *demand* that the tree be replaced. You'll have died (or left town) long before any kind of replacement tree appears. |
Eponymous
Citizen
Username: Eponymous
Post Number: 74
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 11:01 pm: | |
I think Feb is ok for planting trees. Should be pretty safe from the worst of winter (which this year appears to have been in Dec) and ready to burst when the spring arrives.
A bigger problem, I think, is whether they dug deep enough to get good drainage. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1082
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 8:40 am: | |
Actually, a neighbor of mine lost a tree that way... a WM crew member (who was not the driver) jumped in the truck to move it, accidentally backed into a tree and tore it out of the ground.
Those trucks have a truly massive amount of torque; it was a very unpleasant scene. |
Jane C.
Citizen
Username: Janegc
Post Number: 12
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:01 am: | |
Tom - I gave your tree a little pat on my way home last night to let it know that there are people on the block who appreciate it. I'm glad you decided to keep it.
Jane |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12379
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:28 am: | |
Thanks, Jane. I think I'll hang a sign on the tree, saying, "Please save this tree!"
I got a voicemail from the supervisor this morning. He said he'll call back. I'm going to apologize for being a grinch.
Say hello to your husband for me.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2327
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:51 am: | |
Glad you're relenting on the tree. The trees were part of the visual allure of this town to me, whereas I'm neutral on sidewalks. So many people walk in the road, and so many sidewalks are heaved up. However, it seems that trees like sidewalks are a town requirement on "our" property, and we are obliged to caretake both! |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2328
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:14 am: | |
...which for me right now means replacing some squares of sidewalk cuz the insurance company noted same. They are a very slightly raised, due to tree roots from what might be a mature "town" tree planted in the grass between the curb and the sidewalk. Be forewarned! I really like the tree, but it can be galling to have to fix a really minor level discrepancy when so many other sidewalks are a major mess from tree roots. Seems this issue is chiefly raised by insurance companies during the property transfer rather than by the town. I'm guessing folks with the greater tree-related issues haven't bought recently. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3102
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 3:30 pm: | |
When we bought our house in 1994, the sidewalks were a mess due to the town tree there and nobody said anything. We later replaced the sidewalk and the town did handle the tree root trimming, in coordination with our sidewalk contractor, but the sidewalk work was our responsibility. So far, quite a few years later, we have had no additional problems with that tree or with our other "town" tree. The latter is a very young tree that the town planted about two years ago after we spent five years requesting it to replace one they had taken down. Apparently they were trying not to do so, since we already had another tree (wide lot), but they finally did plant one.
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johnny
Citizen
Username: Johnny
Post Number: 1551
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 3:56 pm: | |
Any opinions from anybody on working with Shade Tree Commission? |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2329
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 6:05 pm: | |
Man, I guess we just got unlucky with the insurance company. It really bugs me, though, to have to pay to replace some sidewalk that barely has a problem when I see so many really big sidewalk probs. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12399
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 6:06 pm: | |
Yeah, that does suck, Cynicalgirl. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 332
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 6:07 pm: | |
Tom, if you have them take it away, please send it over to my house...I've been on the waiting list for the dead tree they planted two years ago....still waiting..... |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1085
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 9:28 am: | |
I know this is faint comfort, but at least the sidewalk is repaired and you won't have to face some ludicrious lawsuit some day in the future.
On a slightly less cynical note (not my style, and I suspect not yours either!) I guess you could say that at least people are far less likely to trip and hurt themselves now.
I don't know - I'd be pissed if I had to do it. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2333
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 9:35 am: | |
I'm thinking our insurer is veddy particular! We understood the need to install a railing on the 3 back steps, but the sidewalk issues were so minor, and the inspector didn't mark the offending squares. Even the concrete firm I called couldn't figure out exactly which ones were the problem (and I wasn't dying to rip out everything). Literally right next door, on the other hand, are some seriously heaved up squares due to roots of a similarly placed tree. It does seem as though one should be terribly well informed as to the best type of tree to plant in such a space as many will produce roots that heave up the sidewalk. |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 146
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 11:31 pm: | |
Okay, alright, I'm takin' it to the next level.
Can I plant stuff in the area between the sidewalk and the road?
Sure, I mean trees, but what about bulbs? I've thrown grass seed on some dead spots. (with planting soil). Have I broken the law?
If I plant bulbs along that area around my whole house, it'd look really cool. If I plant Arborvitae, it'd look really weird.
Comments?
J.B. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10609
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:47 am: | |
Cyn, take some digital photos and email them to your insurer with the comment from the contractor. Make sure they show any elevation changes on the walk and ask them to tell you which squares don't meet the requirements. This will probably end it. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12420
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 7:24 am: | |
Seriously, you'd be breaking the law but hurting no one, as far as I can see. Go ahead. Take a look at the block of Oakland Rd between Prospect St and Summit Ave. People are doing their own things on the grassy strip there. I think some are growing veggies. Maybe you should wait a few months before you take a good look.
The foreman left me a voicemail, said he's sorry I don't want the tree, and said he'd call back. Then he stopped by and talked to my wife, who told him I want to keep the tree. I hope to catch up with him eventually.
I will upload pictures of the tree soon.
|
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2145
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 7:59 am: | |
That’s funny Tom. Earlier I had said that the extra communication involved would be a time consuming effort on the part of DPW, and you disagreed. You’ve now placed multiple calls, received a voice mail, and had the guy stop by your house. How many more calls would this tree have caused if they had asked you first? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12421
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:05 am: | |
Seriously? I disagreed that it would be too hard for them to communicate, not that it would consume too much of their time. If they had called first, the overall time probably would have been less.
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Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1090
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:56 am: | |
Mmmm - good point. Sounds like DPW is to blame, not anyone else. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12425
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 10:41 am: | |
Case, do you want me to spell out my part of the blame? Because I will, but I don't care for your implication that I feel I share no blame. I'm willing enough to take responsibility.
I was too quick to be annoyed at the tree, and I was too quick to complain to the DPW. I was slow to realize the benefits of the tree. And probably more. No, DPW is not the only one to blame, but I'm not sure it's all that important, since, after all, the story ends happily. Is there anything else you'd like to rap my wrist for? I'll listen if you like.
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Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1095
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 12:09 pm: | |
Who's rapping your wrist? I just think it was an interesting chain of events, from the initial reaction to the current position.
And while I'm not Catholic, I suspect that the nuns would rap knuckles, not wrists.
I hope you enjoy your tree! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12428
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 12:12 pm: | |
Right, it's knuckles, not wrists. I'm not Catholic, either.
So I changed my mind. Is openmindedness a weakness? Maybe I'm a flipflopper! I did ask yooze guys to tell me why I should keep the tree, and I listened.
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Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 2706
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 12:49 pm: | |
So now your pandering to the tree-huggers?  } |
maplewood fan
Citizen
Username: Mplwfan
Post Number: 281
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:12 pm: | |
George Deutch's Maplewood 2020 |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12446
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:37 pm: | |
This shot tries to show the curvature of the sidewalk in front of the home.
This is the tree, as seen from our front door.
This shows the tree from across the street from our cottage.
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Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 153
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 2:01 pm: | |
Elgato, global warming, schmobal warming. This snow is why you don't plant in Feb.
Tom, I hope the tree makes it.
J.B. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12467
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 2:06 pm: | |
Me too!
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toad
Citizen
Username: Toad
Post Number: 126
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 2:26 am: | |
Where do you think the tree came from, Florida? Maybe DPW can come back and put a coat and a scarf on it. |
eab
Citizen
Username: Eab
Post Number: 107
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 2:57 pm: | |
BTW we have two trees from the town, both actually in our yard (at our request) instead of in that sqeezed section between sidewalk and street. The town has trimmed the older one twice, once on its own and once after I called. They are both replacements for trees that came down. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12486
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:00 pm: | |
toad, I suspect that youth makes a tree vulnerable, just as it does to animal species. Also, snow and cold during youth can increase this vulnerability.
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peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1789
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:15 pm: | |
I'm guessing the tree was "bare roots" rather than in a ball of soil. If so -- this was the right time to plant it, and the snow is no problem (as long as no one knocks the tree over!)
/p |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 163
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 8:47 pm: | |
Peteglider, planting bare roots is "no problem" means this is the "right" time to plant it? I'm not being wise, I've never read or heard about this winter planting.
J.B. |
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