Ask Mr. Answer Person: Why were downtown trees cut down?

decorahnews.com reader Charlie asks: "What's with the trees downtown, and who's in charge? The trees along the side of the parking lot at Mechanic and Water Streets were just filling out nicely and finally providing actual shade, as was the tree across the street in front of the Amory Building courtyard, when recently they were all suddenly pulled out and replaced with scrawny new saplings. Why? This has to cost a bit of money, and for what good reason? I bet it's taxpayers who pay the bill, too, somewhere in the chain at least. It is difficult to accept the "endangered sidewalk" rational, since other trees have been allowed to grow larger with no ill effects--look at the beautiful tree in front of the Alliant Energy building as an example. And the trees certainly weren't blocking signage next to a parking lot.   If the grates won't accommodate a bigger trunk (poor planning), why not go to the one-time expense of getting grates that will and avoid the continuing periodic cost of tree replacement? Study after study and expert after expert have suggested that, to promote economic growth and tourism, we should create enjoyable green spaces in our town. But, just when what few we have start looking good, we take on the inexplicable expense of ripping them out and starting over. Who makes these decisions and why don't they ask what people really want?"

Mr. Answer Person says: The downtown Decorah Self Supporting Municipal Improvement District ("SSMID") each year pays for improvements such as hanging flower baskets, benches, kiosks, bike racks and, yes, trees.  The cost of the replacement of trees each year is NOT paid through property taxes on your and my houses—it comes from a small additional property tax levied on the businesses downtown.  

The downtown trees are basically grown inside a planter.  It's no different than planting flowers or vegetables in a pot—there's a limit to the room a tree can grow inside a planter.  That's why the trees get replaced from time to time.  It has nothing to do with sidewalks or grates or sight lines—it's because trees planted along downtown streets have limited lives and the SSMID Board is doing what it can to keep the trees looking good at all times.  Specifically, the tree in front of the Armory Building was dying and the trees along Mechanic Street were ash trees that were in decline and were replaced proactively.  People want good-looking trees downtown—and that's what the SSMID wants too."