The strong economy and a housing shortage have driven up real-estate prices, sometimes displacing longtime residents who can no longer afford rents or tolerate changes to neighborhoods brought on by newcomers they don't like. In Charlestown, newer and older residents also squabble over complex issues such as housing regulations and schools. When the city of Boston repaved his road last year, it offered to plant trees along his sidewalk. I didn't want that. The longer-term residents give very practical reasons for disliking the woody perennials.
Trees are messy, they say.
They drip sap on cars. They block views and attract defecating dogs. Their leaves clog drains. Many residents also cited a common belief that tree roots can destroy house foundations. Longtime Charlestown resident Earl Harris points to the buckling sidewalk in front of his house as proof.