Removal of oak on Atlantic was necessary, officials say

A tree on Atlantic Avenue was taken down by the Florida Department of Transportation Friday. FDOT and city officials say the tree was in poor condition and posed a threat from falling, but community members are grieving the loss of the live oak, and pledging to take a more active approach to save trees on Amelia Island.

FDOT, which is responsible for the maintenance of Atlantic Avenue and the sidewalk (which is made up of hundred-year-old historic pavers), notified the city of Fernandina Beach the tree at the intersection of Atlantic and 10th Street near the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn, was dead. David Neville, Urban Forester for the city, examined the tree, as did two master arborists, Dan Lippi and Chuck Lippy. They all determine the tree “was in a severe state of decline.”

“Ideas were brought up to try and bring the tree back to a healthier state, but these ideas were deemed unfeasible given the state and location of the tree,” Neville told the News-Leader. “Cambistat is a root growth hormone that the city uses from time to time to help stimulate root growth for trees. This product takes energy used for leaf growth and uses it for root growth instead. During these assessments, it was determined that the use of Cambistat would not help the tree because it was in such a state of decline. The tree was on a steep incline to Atlantic Ave and South 10th Street on one side and a building on the other side. This did not allow for proper air and water to get to roots. The tree sounded positive on a sounding test using a rubber mallet. This is used to determine if the tree is hollow inside and tells the structural health of the tree. When the tree was removed, the cavity inside the tree was revealed showing the structural health of the tree was compromised.”

Representatives from local conservation groups say they made efforts to save the tree, but had no cooperation from the city or FDOT. Julie Ferreira, chair of the Nassau Sierra Club, said the club had it evaluated and created a plan to “try and encourage the tree back to health.”

“That was never implemented because the tree’s location was on state land (the right-of-way) and it became a bureaucratic burden and there was no follow-through,” Ferreira said.

Lyn Pannone, president of the Amelia Tree Conservancy, agreed.

“This tree was evaluated by a master arborist two or three years ago as being in decline,” Pannone said. “The city was advised how to take care of it but did not. The tree could have survived years longer.”

Fernandina Beach Mayor Bradley Bean said he mourns the loss of the tree, but it was necessary.

“While it is always sad to lose an old tree like this, it is important we consider public safety,” Bean said. “As the FDOT crew was removing the tree, I stopped by and confirmed it was rotting from the inside of the base. The top of the tree was heavy and the base was hollow. The tree was in danger of falling and potentially hitting our historic schoolhouse, or worse a pedestrian. I want to thank the crew for safely removing this tree.”

City Commissioner Darron Ayscue also regretted the loss.

“It was a sad day for Fernandina Beach to lose such a beautiful tree that has helped shape the landscape of Atlantic Avenue for generations,” Ayscue said. “Like many trees that we have lost recently on Atlantic Avenue due to storms, this tree should be remembered for all of the wonderful memories many families enjoyed by its presence.”

Jeremiah Glisson, Public Works Operation manager for the city, said in an email to city commissioners that FDOT examined all the trees on the Atlantic corridor, and the one at 10th Street was the only one that had to be removed. Some community members have expressed concern about a cedar tree on the neighboring corner, but Glisson told commissioners there are no plans to remove it.

Both officials and conservationists say they want to make the city, and Amelia Island, more friendly to trees.

“While, it is sad to lose a tree that has contributed to our city’s beauty for so long, I promise that under my leadership as mayor, the city will continue to plant more trees and protect those that are already standing,” Bean said.

“As sad as this news is, we know that the rest of the trees that were examined on Atlantic Avenue are healthy and it is our responsibility to protect and preserve them as best we can as a community,” Ayscue said.

“Nassau Sierra is passionate about our maturing canopy and plans to be pro-active in the upcoming year to implement methods to try to ensure their on-going health for the next 200 years,” Ferreira said. “We encourage others to join in our efforts.”

“It’s important that we all understand the monetary and quality-of-life value of our mature shade trees and the historic features like pavers,” Conserve Nassau Chair Margaret Kirkland said. “Our trees moderate the temperature, process storm water, protect us from storm winds and provide a historic context. The historic features like pavers document and display the historic nature of the community.  Both require investment in protection and maintenance, but without them, we diminish the scope and value of important features our community values, features that underlie our economy and provide us a competitive edge.”

jroberts@fbnewsleader.com