Letter: A Plea To Save Amherst’s Old Trees
One of the two mature maple trees slated to be removed at 174 Sunset Avenue. Photo: Rani Parker
The following letter was sent to Town Manager Paul Bockelman on March 27, 2022
I write to express my support for the protection of old trees in Amherst. Please do not remove the trees in the public way at 174 Sunset.
The two trees in question are magnificent and beautiful. These trees are alive and they cannot grow back to this size for many generations. Taking down the trees takes away not only from us, but also from future generations. The loss of these trees means a loss to all the benefits they provide to us – production of oxygen, absorption of carbon-dioxide, water conservation, soil preservation, etc. In addition to us, many species of birds and insects also rely on these trees. They provide shade and beauty. Construction can happen anywhere. Let’s choose wisely and not destroy our natural wealth, richness and value of our town for new construction that does not respect our public wealth. That is not consistent with the sustainability goals of our Town.
That the Town would even consider taking down such great public resources as these trees is shocking, and why? We want to take them down because of an “upgraded” sewer line and sidewalk construction. New construction that is dependent on the destruction of an old tree cannot be considered an “upgrade.”
Some have argued that it seems practical to find a middle ground and save at least one of the trees, but we do not absolve ourselves of the failure to protect these trees by simply saving one. Both trees need to be saved.
It’s been pointed out that the trees are “in decline.” Yes, and so are we – all living things are in the process of dying. When trees die, they take a long time, and they can die more slowly if we just let them be and even more slowly if we actually take care of them. We do nothing for these trees despite all that they offer us. Is the canopy too small? A standard for a canopy does not exist for single urban trees. Trees today are undergoing unimagined stress, especially in densely trafficked areas like the corner of Sunset and Fearing. How do we know that a particular canopy is too small given the conditions in which it lives? Has an Urban Tree Canopy Assessment, which takes into consideration the urban context, been done for Amherst?
I plead with you to reconsider and choose to keep our old trees. If it’s a matter of money, we know that the Town has great fundraising capacity. Let’s find the money to protect and save these trees. Let’s take care of them so they live a very long time, serving us each additional hour with carbon capture and oxygen creation, providing food and shelter for birds and insects, and adding beauty to our community.
Rani Parker
Rani Parker is a resident of Amherst’s District 3
I especially appreciate Rani’s comment that “When trees die, they take a long time….”
I would like to know what is the harm of letting the trees be — harm to the landscape, harm to people, harm to other trees / plants. Not harm to development work, which can often be done in ways that protect standing trees.
Was very sad to see the same happen Warfield place (terrace)? Northampton. Cherry trees were removed and new trees planted. Logic, science, heart minds bodies nothing stopped the destruction but people tried and cared I know.
Kris Jackson
Often such a pair of mature trees are known as “marriage” trees, adding even more poignancy to the plea to save them both!
And somewhat ironically, in places that may have once had a mixed record on civil rights for people, even trees have gained inalienable rights:
https://www.visitathensga.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-tree-that-owns-itself/
Perhaps a deed can be recorded on behalf of this magnificent pair of maples?
I agree with doing all possible to preserve this pair of trees as long as they remain living. They are beautiful, offer shade in the summer, and are storing carbon as well.
Thank you, Rani Parker. Diana Beresford-Kroeger, Canadian Irish botanist, was quoted in the New York Times, “We’ve taken down too much of the forest, that’s our big mistake. But if you build back the forest you oxygenate the atmosphere more and it buys us time.” This applies to our urban forest as well.
As the best building for the climate is the one already built the trees that survive are better than any not yet planted.
ready to show up for support for the trees when needed!!
MM
Both Magnificent Maples are on the west side of Sunset — have a (virtual) look:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3805391,-72.5275551,3a,75y,321.33h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUv0kJU2kHz_wJqi9w0ukLw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
There’s no sidewalk anywhere on west side of the Sunset, and no discernible need for a sidewalk on this section by the new development. The speed-bumps there should already calm traffic enough to make for safe crossing to the extant sidewalk on east side Sunset – just add another raised-crosswalk/speed-bump between the pizzeria and new development if it’s not calm enough there — or if one insists on a sidewalk on the west side, just narrow that section of Sunset near the trees, by putting a raised-sidewalk/wide bump-outs in the street near both these trees….
And also add some more raised-crosswalks/speed-bumps across Fearing as well to reach the extant sidewalk on the north side along the UMass “Southwest” dormitories and dining commons — the best food in town according to those in the know — that’s where most foot traffic is likely to be anyway!