Ask Mr. Answer Man: "Where will fruit trees be planted along Trout Run Trail?"

Crab Apple Tree

Steve e-mails Mr. Answer Man: "Have potential liability problems been addressed about apple trees being planted along the bike trail?  If someone loses control of their bike when it hits a slick spot caused by rotten fruit and is seriously hurt, what is the city's liability risk or the liability of those who planted the trees?  Are there parameters about how close to the trail fruit or nut trees will be allowed?  Just wondering as there has already been at least one serious accident on the trail and I wouldn't want to be the next."
 
Mr. Answer Person turned to Decorah Park-Rec Director Andy Nimrod for answers to your questions: "Yes, we are concerned about liabilities that apple trees could pose along the trail--so we recommended crab apple trees planted far enough off the trail that there would be no problems.  Crews have been looking to see if there are any suitable locations that wouldn't be right along the trail where an apple tree might be a good option.  Remember that apple trees will also attract deer and I'm not sure that is what we are after either.
    
Yes, there are parameters on how close trees can be planted along the trail.   Obviously on an 11 mile trail they didn't want to eliminate every mature oak, walnut or hickory tree near the trail,  so I wouldn't say the problem doesn't exist somewhere already, but we definitely don't want to create more problems.