Opinion

Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards express concerns of wrongful tree removal

Published

5 years ago

November 6, 2020

In reference to Royal Examiner’s story on October 30, 2020: “The Town of Front Royal Public Works….. to perform channel restoration and creek bank stabilization along Happy Creek between E. Prospect Street and South Street.”

One of the many trees removed without notice to the Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards was the Town 2016 Arbor Day willow tree planted by the mayor. This willow tree had a 4×4 post and plaque designating it as a part of the Happy Creek Arboretum. It also appears that many other trees in excess of the stated 4-inch diameter limit were removed. We have worked long and hard to make Front Royal a Tree City USA town for the past 21 years. The removal of trees from our city for dubious and uncoordinated projects is outrageous.

In addition to the tree issues, the clear-cut manner in which the work is being done is causing damage to existing rock vanes, which were funded by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to slow the water and create trout habitat.

We intend to formally submit our concerns to all the agencies that approved this project and ask for an immediate stop of work until the damage can be assessed and a restoration plan approved.

Melody Hotek
President of Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards

Before: The Tree Stewards maintained this area on Front Street, beginning from Prospect Street Bridge, creating view-points to the creek along the Greenway. Photos courtesy of Melody Hotek