Oct 22, 2008 8:20 pm US/Eastern
Gables Loses Piece Of History With Downing Of Tree
CORAL GABLES (CBS4) ―
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A 50 foot, Brazilian Beauty-leaf tree in Merrick Park was cut down early Wednesday morning despite efforts by some to try and save the 88-year old tree.
A long standing landmark in the City of Coral Gables is nothing more than sawdust and twigs.
A 50 foot, Brazilian Beauty-leaf tree in Merrick Park, across the street from Coral Gables City Hall, was cut down before the sun even came up.
"Oh my heart aches," said activist Roxcy Bolton who lobbied to save the tree with ts 70 foot canopy of branches and leaves. The tree had offered shade in the park for 88 years.
Unfortunately it rotted and in jeopardy of falling down, according to city officials, so it had to go.
Bolton led the losing battle to save the tree and was in the park to witness the chainsaws destroy the tree Wednesday morning.
For Bolton, the fight was personal. She pointed out that no one from City Hall showed up to answer questions as the chainsaws ripped the tree apart, limb by limb, section by section.
"I care about trees," she said. "I brought my children here when they were little babies. I nursed the baby here. I put down a quilt and we had wonderful memories in this park."
Bolton said the tree was damaged ten years ago when a car struck it and the city never properly repaired it. She argued the city has not looked for alternatives to cutting down the tree. They should have called in experts to try and save the tree.
Dan Keys, the city's public service director, admitted the city did not explore other options.
"The preponderance of evidence was such that any method we might use to try and save the tree would not be advisable," he said. "We didn't discuss alternatives because we had a recommendation for removal and we agree with those recommendations."
For Bolton, the desire to cut down the tree is emblematic of a larger problem in Coral Gables.
"This town is not the same," she said. "The best of Coral Gables is behind us. We'll never see Coral Gables as it once was."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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