Savannah Defends Tree Maintenance Program and Increased Calls

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Savannah defends tree maintenance program and increased calls.

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) –
Posted: Sep 11, 2013 7:24 PM EDT Updated: Sep 11, 2013 7:55 PM EDT
By Don Logana

Savannah’s signature oak trees are getting plenty of attention. A $12 million judgment against the city has put the tree maintenance program under the microscope.

WTOC stopped by several park and tree work sites Wednesday. At Continental Self Storage, the manager said he “already feels safer” because the tree limbs have been pruned and cut the building. It was one of four tree projects underway Wednesday.

City staff told WTOC they realize there is a fear right now of the 85,000 live oaks and other members of the urban forest.

In the last six months in Savannah, city park and tree officials say several hundred dead or decayed trees have been cut down.

“Right now, we have several hundred trees awaiting service and we have crews on the street today removing trees and pruning trees,” Jerry Flemming, Director of Park and Tree/Cemeteries, told WTOC.

Flemming has been with the city since the ’80s, working in the forestry division and later overseeing cemeteries before it was combined with park and tree. He said calls to the city’s 311 line about trees have increased.

“Obviously, when there is a high profile lawsuit it causes people to look at the trees. The more people looking at trees, the more calls coming in,” he said. Many calls are coming from city leaders and elected officials, who are getting calls from citizens.

“They see things that concern them, they are calling them in. That’s not a bad thing,” Flemming said.

On Paulsen Street and Victory Drive, a large oak tree was being removed by four of the city’s 22 member forestry crew because of decay and disease.

Two more workers were pruning and cutting limbs dangerously close to Continental Self Storage.

“Any decisions made will be made by a certified arborist. The tree will be evaluated by an arborist,” Flemming said.

The city seems to be in self-defense mode as of late. They say compared to other cities, even Atlanta, they spend the most on tree maintenance. Its forestry budget is an estimated $2 million, which is $15.32 per capita. Compare Savannah to Atlanta. The city says Atlanta works with a $1 million tree budget at $2.25 per capita.

Flemming says the city’s plan is working, trees are being tended to and maintained, and have been for years. He doesn’t believe they need another supervisor focused on the trees for $100,000 more a year, like critics and lawyers have argued.

“Every time I go to a meeting or I stand in front of Don Logana, I allow my crews to go out and get their work done,” Flemming said. “The citizens of Savannah and our elected officials have placed an emphasis on forestry management.”

Flemming said if you have a tree you believe is on city property and in decay, or possibly dead or a dangerous tree limb, call 311. It will put the tree report into the system, a service request will be issued, and within a few days, or sooner depending on how serious the issue is, a certified arborist with the city will be out to evaluate, inspect and take necessary steps to make it safe.

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