Tree Murder in La Grange, and Tree Topping. (original) (raw)

The reader is asked to remember that the year is 1939. "Tree Murder in La Grange"

(from the Fayette County Record, August 29, 1939)

There's a report coming out of Austin, printed in some of the dailies [note plural] and reprinted in full or in part in some of the neighboring towns, which puts the town of La Grange in an unfavorable and incorrect light.

It is with reference to the city's removal of trees and limbs which are considered to be dangerous.

The daily press story read in part: "City authorities have ordered the massive oak trees standing in and near the streets to be cut down; and many of them have already been cut, despite the vehement protest of the citizens, women's clubs and other groups. Apparently every one of the historic trees which so much impress visitors to La Grange have been marked for "murder"..."

Alderman Fritz Maas, chairman of the street and bridge committee, was contacted to find out how that report squared with the facts. Here is his story:

Exactly three oak trees have been removed. One was on the edge of the street, its trunk a mere shell and its limbs rotten,a constant menace to the safety of traffic and pedestrians alike. Another was almost in the middle of a street intersection, badly decayed and constituting a hazard to traffic. The third was on the edge of a street in a grove of several trees, consisting chiefly of a trunk with little foliage, and leaning dangerously over the street; once removed it was never missed.

All other trees removed were hackberry trees which were so diseased that they were a constant menace to safety, and most were removed at the request of the property owners in front of whose homes the trees stood.

There is one other oak that the city expects to take out. It also is in a grove along the side of a street and extends low over narrow bridge which makes it dangerous.

The highway department has been asked by the city to remove three other oaks that are in the highway. Another is to one side of the highway opposite a deep drainage ditch which allows but little space for passing of cars. All three trees are in poor condition. However if the highway department believes that they are not hazardous, the city is willing that they remain, but it expects a statement to that effect from the highway safety engineer.

Many trees have "been marked" alright, but for trimming, not "murder." Work on most of them has been completed. On others, dangerous limbs have been removed, and workmen will return later to apply the finishing touches.

The city's trees were untouched for several years. Last year a limb fell and crushed two cars. A jury held the city guilty of negligence in not removing the limb and the city was out of [sic] $435.00. It immediately made an inspection of all trees and ordered removal of dangerous trees and limbs.

Not fully understanding the city's plans, at least two organizatrions compalined to the council or the committee in charge. There never has been a "vehement protest." Most of the complaints have been cleared up and, on a whole, the people of the city appreciate the fact that the council is not acting to injure the city, but in its best interests.

Our thanks to A.C. of Austin for sending the original clipping.