Huntington Town is considering making it illegal to remove any landmark tree, large tree, medium tree or more than three small trees within a one-year period without first obtaining a permit. Arlene Gross, writing in The Times of Huntington, explains the proposal, which would also deter commercial entities from any mass clearing of trees on their properties.
WRITERS WANTED
-
Do you have stories to tell about your community? We are looking for residents to contribute stories to this site in an effort to bring you more local news than ever before. To sign up to write stories yourself,
e-mail us at lilife@newsday.com with contact information. And if you like the site, please tell a neighbor.
Bloggers
Lida Russo
Mike Earley
Tim Healy
Subscribe
« New dog park in West Hills | Main | Revolutionary re-creation in Huntington »
Huntington considers law to save trees
Search
Recent Posts
- Beach cleanup along North Shore
- Civic group honors Glenda Jackson
- Interim superintendent in Harborfields
- Yacht club praised for fundraising
- Huntington school libraries automated
- Whitman Band Show Set for Saturday
- Honors in South Huntington
- Street renamed for fallen firefighter
- Northport Orchestra plans free concert
- Museum ceremony for fallen firefighter
[What is this?]
Comments (2)
Oh, NOW they get it ?
It's a shame that it took so long.
This legislation should include a Five to Ten year clause, because, in my experience, that's how long it takes for adjacent Overbuilds to kill trees in My yard too.
So, first builders knock down whatever they can... then they "prune" and remove roots...of mature, majestic oaks for instance, and then they slide these massive knockoff homes in... or someone boxes out the upper story of thier home... it doesn't matter... either way, the "Little House" loses...
The big tree sans adequate roots takes about 3 years to die. Yes, the new homeowner has the expense of taking it down. But the crime is, it disturbs the ecosystem of an entire community. I maintain a certified wildlife habitat... (www.nwf.org) and since the oak next to me was removed last October, I've had a steep decline in the bird and small mammal popluation that I welcome into my yard.
But the very worst part of it is that when someone Adds a story to their home, or a developer puts up a MacMansion or 3... the sunlight and available water changes in neighboring yards too. I've lost trees and shrubs that were in this yard for 50 years ( my family has owned this property that long..) due to the hubris of manicured lawns, inground sprinklers, and ornament trees that are not native to this region. Ornament trees that are planted to protect the new homes view of our "Unsightly" home.
When the Nature Conservancy has to ask volunteers to come help remove non-native species from it's protected properties... when our native birds and mammals die off, (like say.. the bats...) When we must spray to kill mosquito's... who used to be eaten by local wildlife.. Who do we hold accountable ? It just gets worse every year.
So, fines and a 5 to 10 year window on the environmental impact of removing any large tree should be considered. And it would be great if there was a class action suit Against developers who have already destroyed certain neighborhoods I'd gladly walk anyone through our tree graveyard...
But, the bottom line ? Our ecosystem will not win... because the taxes that these new builds and improvements generate make those Homeowners more important than lifelong residents. I learned that reality 5 years ago...
Shame on the Town of Huntington.
People who make an effort and maintain habitats should be given generous real estate tax incentives too. That would maybe level the playing field enough for us to try to resuscitate our yards.
I hope it isn't too late...
.
A rose garden is one of the most beautiful types of gardens. However, since roses are thorny and delicate by nature, this type of garden is one of the most challenging to design and to maintain.