It is our responsibility to preserve our heritage (inlcuding our trees)
Last month, the Utah Department of Transportation and Ephraim City began the removal of a row of historic trees, including 39 Russian Black Willows, along Main Street at the northwest gateway entrance to the city.
The tree removal began with no notification to most residents except for a last-minute handout the day six trees were already being removed.
Kevin Kitchen of UDOT stated that there were only “two Ephraim residents who raised concern.” In fact, concerns were expressed by many local and nearby residents. As now known to all, those concerns mushroomed into a public outcry.
Although UDOT seemed to emphasize the reason for the removal was safety, the primary purpose, barely talked about, was an intended lane expansion along U.S. 89. As was pointed out, there is more than likely adequate room to expand the highway without the removal of the trees.
For many years, Ephraim’s north entrance has been a beautiful, tree-lined site. This has been one of many “landmarks” certainly worth keeping.
The Russian Black Willows were planted in the 1930’s by Olaf Thursby, Afton Larson, and others. The ditch water beside the highway helped them grow, creating the stunning entrance to the town.
The lifespan of many local willows, poplars and cottonwoods can be over 100 years. Spreading along the west side of the highway, they create a tunnel-like entrance into the town. Wisely, over the years, the city has maintained the trees, eliminating the possibility of any branches falling onto the highway.
Kitchen also stated, “The trees along this stretch of highway are clearly dying. (Not true.) As trees begin to die and rot, they can split and become a serious hazard…creating potential safety hazards for travelers.”
Exactly how many accidents, Mr. Kitchen, have those trees caused in over 100 years? None.
As a result of the public response, UDOT chose to “pause the maintenance work to allow time for a more rigorous historical evaluation and to avoid any potential conflicts with the nesting season of certain migratory bird species.”
UDOT will re-evaluate the necessity of removing the trees and, with that, has agreed to put the plan on hold until July.
As usual, most trees this spring are lush and full. Recently, branches on several of the 39 trees have been cut off. Most of the cuts expose a healthy light tan-orange color, which indicates a living healthy tree. Our trees are not only notably healthy but are an aesthetic natural gift to us.
Aside from their historic value, the trees provide environmental benefits, such as the sequestering of carbon dioxide from the air, filtering other air pollutants, supporting biodiversity, cooling urban areas and protecting habitat for wildlife such as animal and bird migrations.
Many cities throughout the country acknowledge the importance of maintaining existing trees, including all their positive contributions to the environment. In many cities, the removal of a tree, even on private property, requires planting a new one.
Of course, trees eventually die and necessarily should be removed. But let’s be reasonable and consider how we can preserve as many as possible and, of course, keep planting more and replace those that are removed.
Our culture of asphalt and concrete damages our environment. What’s called “essential progress” comes at the expense of our heritage and common sense. Our population growth is apparently unstoppable. It seems we barely have enough water to accommodate people, not to mention livestock and crops.
It is critical to find ways to retain and maintain Utah’s heritage. We sincerely hope we can save our amazing “Gateway to Ephraim” trees, along with many more in this valley. It’s our responsibility. And do we really need more traffic lanes on Main Street? We already have too much engine exhaust and noise.