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City Seeks To Preserve Old Oaks

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

DADE CITY - Once again, city leaders are concerned about the well-being of several of the city's signature laurel and live oaks.

Natural Resource Planning Services on Friday inspected 14 oaks lining Meridian Avenue, between Third and 15th streets, on the city's behalf. The Florida Department of Transportation, which maintains the roadway, has determined the trees are ailing and need to be removed.
Arborists are expected to provide the city commission with an opinion on whether any of the trees can be saved.

The city commission will probably receive the opinion in time for its Nov. 13 meeting and discuss its next step then.

Some residents have objected to the removal of the trees, which they say beautify downtown and provide needed shade.

Ailing trees pose hazards because weakened limbs are prone to break and fall, especially in high winds. Still, the Transportation Department agreed to give the city time to discuss the issue before removing the oaks. If the oaks are too frail to remain along Meridian, the city wants to discuss whether it should plant replacements.

This issue has come up before in Dade City. In 2006, 12 laurel oaks along Seventh Street, at the city's southern entrance, had to be removed because they were diseased. Concerned community groups replanted crape myrtles, ornamentals and live oaks in the area.

Jo-Ann Johnston

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