The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1949-04-21
STRONG PROTEST
MADE AGAINST
REMOVING OAKS
Thirty-seven Citizens Sign Let
ter To Mayor and Town Council
of Oakland

VI OSAhAetHO
A strong protest was lodged with
the Mayor and Town Council of Oak
land this week by a number of citi-
zens, over the proposed plan of re-
moving ten large Oak trees from the
streets. In other words a storm is
brewing over the mighty oaks, some
of them being the ones for which Oak
land was no doubt named.
These trees are located on Alder
street, Pennington street, Second
street and Wilson street, as far as
can be learned.
The protest comes from 81 signers
of the Oakland Civic club and other
citizens of the town, who write that
they "most earnestly and vigorously
protest the planned removal of the
large oak trees from the corner of
Alder and Fifth streets, from in front
of the Howard property on Alder
street between Sixth and Seventh, and
from various other locations where
we are informed you intend to take
down certain trees.
ave feel that the reasons for any
such action should first be publicly eX-
planned to the citizens of the town
who are justly proud of their trees;
and that if any reasonable alternative
appears, as we are told it will, such
action be withheld.
The letter continues: Owe are in
formed that the tree, corner of Alder
and Fifth can be put into good con-
dition for about forty dollars, where
as it will cost fifty dollars to remove
it. If this is true we ask for an eX-
PLANTATION of the action of the Council
in ordering its removal, if such action
has been taken Similarly we are told
that the only objection to the tree in
front of the Howard property is that
its roots interfere with certain drains
or cutters, and if this is a fact, GER
tainly the town should change the
course of these cutters and save tins
beautiful tree.
"a recent summer visitor declared
that in the course of a long life and
much travel he had not seen such fine
oaks anywhere as we have here, eX-
cept in the great parks of England.
eve therefore ask that action to-
ward any such removals be withheld,
pending a complete investigation and
report to the public"
According to Mayor Joseph Hine-
baugh who was contacted this week,
the council has taken no specific
action in regard to the trees except to
ask for an investigation from the
State Forestry department. He said
an inspection was made by tree eX-
pert, a forestry man and himself ard
that the ten trees were declared to
be dangerous, and that the forestry
department had recommended removal
on those grounds.
William Parr, district forester, de-
clared Tuesday that at the request of
the town the State Department OF
! Forestry had granted permission for
the removal of trees as being danger
Gus, but he said he believed that it
was necessary that permission be Sc
cured also from the property owner
affected, unless there was some
specific town ordinance covering such
situation.
1t was explained by Mayor Hine-
baugh that the council had discussed
the matter but that no specific action
had been taken as yet. He said they
were endeavoring to make it CO.
operative project with the electric
and telephone companies whereby
each would pay $40 per tree for a
total cost of $500 for the ten trees.
Mayor Hinebaugh said he was con-
cerned with the danger involved from
these old trees which had become
menace and in case of accident or
death would result in a costly dam
age suit against the town.
All trees are located on town prop
erty, between sidewalks and the
streets.