PROTECTING A HISTORIC CITY STREET TREE

HISTORIC RED OAK ON SOUTH SECOND ST., BAYFIELD...

ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SIDEWALK DIVERTED AROUND TREE.  LOOKING NORTH...

...LOOKING SOUTH

Saturday, 8:30 AM.  59 degrees F at the ferry dock, 55 on the back porch.  The wind is variable and light, the sky mosgtly clear with but with developing haziness.  The humidity is 87% and the barometer has begun to drift downward, and now stands at 30.00".  It looks like we may have some unsettled weather tomorrow.

   We are getting back to some semblance of normalcy after our recent "bump in the road," and Buddy has come to the realization he has not been abandoned.  He lost about four pounds in  nine days, and he is being treated to as many MacDoubles (no pickles) as he wants.  He had a good run on Bay View Beach Road yesterday, as I am not walking on the sand at the Sioux River beach as yet.

   One of the greatest concerns of the Bayfield Tree Board has been preserving one of the largest and oldest street trees in the city, located on South Second St., between Rittenhouse Ave. and Manypenny Ave.  The original brick-paved street is being reconstructed, saving and re-laying the original brick put down in the Nineteenth Century, but underlying the road with concrete and installing new curbing.  

   There were many legitimate concerns that the original construction plans might cause the death of the old tree, but changes were made to widen the boulevard strip between the sidewalk and curb, to respect and protect existing roots, and to curve the sidewalk around the tree.  The project engineers and City public works superintendent were very cooperative,  the Mayor supported the efforts of the Tree Board, and everything was done that could be done to promote the welfare of this oldest Bayfield street tree.  We are in the process of drafting a Heritage Tree ordinance that will codify our concerns and methods.

   At present the old tree looks in great shape, and the Tree Board will continue to monitor the tree, as well as give it proper water, fertilization and pruning (the later after the season for oak wilt infestation is over).  For more information on the street restoration project, click on the City of Bayfield web site above.