Q. It's been years since the county removed two huge trees from the front of my house because they had been losing branches and could become dangerous in a storm. I was promised two new trees at no cost. I'm still waiting. I've tried writing and calling but to no avail. The front of my house is so bare looking, it's depressing. I'm 83 years old and would like to see two trees while I'm still here to enjoy them.
Irene Eulner, New Hyde Park
A. Mrs. Eulner has her trees.
The Town of North Hempstead Highway Department planted two pear trees two days after we called to find out why the old trees hadn't been replaced. We learned that the highway department had removed the trees in December 2005.
When trees are removed, the stumps are left there for a year, allowing the roots to die before the stumps are removed, said Town spokesman Justin Meyers. Usually, trees are planted within three months after that, but new plantings could take up to a year if the highway department has storm work or other higher priority tasks.
The delay in getting Eulner's trees planted occurred because her earlier calls to the town's 311 hotline came before its computer system was fully implemented, he said. Now, there's a system that logs each complaint.
After the pear trees were planted, Eulner said, "I got my two trees today. They're kind of scrawny looking but it's so nice to see something in front of the house.”
Town of North Hempstead residents with a problem involving trees on town roads, or other problems, should call 311. Complaints may also be emailed by visiting northhempstead.com and clicking Contact Us in the left hand column.
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