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A tree dies in Roslindale
By adamg on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 3:25pm
Before (10/5) and after (today).
When the city released plans for the new Washington-Beech project, the renderings showed builders would keep a huge tree right at the corner of Washington and Beech streets. And, for a while, it looked like that really was the plan - workers even surrounded it with a protective wooden "hula skirt." But for some reason, they tore down the tree today and carted away its remains.
This is what the neighborhood was promised:
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Comments
Yeah, the picture promises
Yeah, the picture promises sunshine, and look at the rain today! Bastards.
Tree Story
Worst post ever. A tree dies... Gimme a break. I bet a person died today too... and a bird... and a cat...
and an anon
and an anon
and
a thread
Ironic.
Don't you think?
re:
"The renderings showed builders would keep a huge tree right at the corner of Washington and Beech streets."
The rendering you posted obviously doesn't show that. Trees cannot be relocated.
au contraire
http://www.willeybigtrees.com/reduced%20pixel%20tr...
I don't think they intended to relocate the tree
The position is a little off in the rendering, but if you look at the shape of the big tree in the forefront, it's obviously the same tree they took down, so it sure looks like the plan was to leave the tree where it was.
They certainly can
In Washington, D.C., a whole bunch of flowering cherry trees were relocated a few years back; I think they were part of the original gift from Japan.
But it's wicked expensive, and the stress of being moved often kills them. Though Davey Tree says:
"We take pride in accomplishing the impossible daily and have transplanted some of the largest trees on record. Quite simply, we can successfully move nearly any tree."
They did it in Boston Too
A few years ago a bunch of trees were planted on the esplanade near the lagoon - but it was found that the plantings violated the master plan which called for leaving that area open for the views - the trees were moved (they probably weren't that big - but there were a lot of them - I think 2-3 dozen).
Does anyone know where Boston's cherry trees went?
And whether any survived transplanting.
Found this
On the Beacon Hill Times Archives - the rest of the text was printed backwards - interesting effect - impossible to read - maybe in you subscribe you get a secret decoder ring or something to read it - but this solves the mystery more or less (not sure if they survived -but my guess is we would have heard about it if they had started dying en masse):
Lessons from the cherry trees Editorial
It looks as if everything has been worked out between the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Esplanade Association and others over the cherry trees, donated by the Fish family to honor the Japan Society’s first hundred years. The trees, which were planted last spring in the form of an allée between a lagoon and the Charles River, will be moved. Neighborhood representatives will work with state officials and historic plans to find many sites along the river where the trees can be arranged in clusters. State and neighborhood officials seem happy with the outcome. It will have taken more than a year, but all is well that ends well.
That's the last article I recall
Thanks.
I never read anything later that discussed whether the transplantations were actually successful.
I do think it's fair to say
I do think it's fair to say that trees are a renewable resource. The tree that was there didn't prevent the projects from being a shithole. And based on the size of the tree, I suspect that it wasn't there when the old building was erected.
Trees come, and trees go.
Sure
It's not like I'm sitting here crying about that tree or anything. But that building is a pretty massive thing for that location, especially given the way the land slopes away on the other side of Washington (you can see it all the way from Belgrade), and the tree was certainly something good where it was. So maybe they'll have a ceremony to plant a new tree that will do the same shady thing in 30 years.
Not quite the same shady thing
Trees are usually removed when they're so close to the building's foundation that either the root system will compromise it, or the building will kill the tree. Either way, you can't replant a tree at the same spot, or the same thing will happen. If you're lucky, you can plant one that's far enough away to live.
Root compaction
Wet weather and heavy equipment, this is a common story.
Is it just me or is that building a bit oversized? You can eyeball it from Belgrade.
I had the same thought
But perhaps it's no bigger than the old brick project- an optical illusion or something born of my having gotten quickly used to the empty space. I'm sure someone knows the actual height comparison. Also, is it me or is there less frontage than before?
It's definitely bigger than
It's definitely bigger than what was there, at four stories. The old project bunkers were only three. For a comparison look at the remaining bunkers closer to the back of the project.
Downtown view?
So will the top floors have a view of downtown? Might become a desired address?
I would think that they
I would think that they will. You can see the skyline at road level on Washington St. This building will be higher on the top floor than what is across the street, so it should see everything. I bet a comparable view would be the one you get from the Bates School yard, which is completely awesome.
trees
The view is awesome . But the living space is like living in a closet. The apt. in this building are for the elderly . Its only one side so how many people really get a view and how long can you look at the skyline before you get bored. Public Trans is still a hike from there no matter how close you are as the crow flys.
Public transportation a hike?
There's a bus stop right outside the entrance for any of the roughly 20 gazillion bus lines that go up and down Washington Street. I realize buses aren't the same as subways, but they're not that bad.
I don't care that much about
I don't care that much about the tree, but I really do love how the building is turning out. I see a few comments about it being too big, but I disagree. We need more buildings like this along Washington St. if people don't want large buildings they should move to Needham.
Streetview shows that alot
Streetview shows that alot of very large, mature trees were cut down
I think it is a big problem
I think it is a big problem when mature trees are cut down for no apparent reason. It will be years before a similar tree will grow. Since it would obviously be bettter if the tree had not been cut down, then why all these comments about it not mattering at all? It does matter.
Whit
Couple of chords of wood for
Couple of chords of wood for the contractor's wood burning stove next year, $500. Thanks taxpayers of Boston.
Ever seen a T(r)oll Brothers development?
OK, so there aren't too many Toll Bros. developments in the city.... ;-)
Every TB development I've seen rips up every tree in sight, then builds the road and houses. Every tree. It ends up being a barren wasteland with some houses plopped on top. It kills me.
Local builders that put more thought into siting the houses leave every tree they can, even though some trees can make it harder to build the houses. This ends up looking so much better.
Green building?
Did they say it would be a green building? Sure looks like it.... after they finish the paint job.
Kill-A-Tree
You know, I was optimistic about that fine tree remaining on the corner.
I even imagined that there were knowledgeable people who knew that particular tree was important...who knew it was one darn tough ELM TREE who hadn't been killed by Dutch Elm Disease. But NOOOOO, that poor tree had to do into the chipper. And I am sure 'they' would say it was damaged.