The Pettygrove elm

A large old elm stood at NW 24th and Pettygrove. The city’s own tree inventory listed it in good condition and as an important part of the neighborhood canopy. Neighbors were then told it was diseased and had to come down.

At the same time, the city was rebuilding all four pedestrian ramps at that corner. Three were finished. The fourth ran into the elm’s roots, which had lifted the ground. I remember looking at that spot and wondering how they would handle the roots. Now I know. They removed a healthy, mature tree so the concrete would be easier to pour.

The city often goes overboard protecting trees when a private project is involved. Here, the tree lost to construction convenience.