A crew removed two trees from the Red Bank Middle School grounds on Tuesday. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
The sight of workers cutting down two large trees near Red Bank Middle School on Tuesday sparked concern in a neighborhood where tree-cutting had been a source of controversy less than a year ago, but school officials assured residents that more trees and greenery would be planted in their place.
The stump of one of the removed trees with the construction project on the Middle School grounds in the background. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
The two trees between the Branch Avenue sidewalk and the fence were removed as part of a redevelopment of the middle school grounds that will include a running track, ball courts, outdoor classrooms and more, said Jared Rummage, superintendent of Red Bank Borough Schools. redbankgreenThe Borough Shade Tree Commission has been informed of the plan and the trees will be replaced with at least four new trees as part of the project, he said.
“They will be replaced at least two to one,” Rumage said. “It’s a beautification project, we’re planting trees on our property.”
The plan also calls for shrubs to be planted throughout the project area, which has been a sprawling, grassy (and sometimes muddy) area for years. Once construction is further along, more trees could be planted, he said.
“It should be a much nicer place for the community,” Rumage said.
Last September, the city’s abrupt felling of nine trees on nearby South Street sparked anger among residents and led to calls for the city to better communicate when and why the tree removals were planned.
As workers removed the logs on Branch Avenue on Tuesday, several residents complained about their removal and mentioned last year’s incident. Some said children were using the large trees for shade on hot days.
“They were big, beautiful trees,” Branch Avenue resident Steve Ansell said of the two trees as he watched the branches being pushed into the chipper. “It’s disheartening.”
Brian Donohue, editor of redbankgreen, can be reached by email at (email protected) or by phone or text at 848-331-8331. He can also be heard calling his name as he passes by. Appreciate the reporting of redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you have not already done so. Click here to determine the amount of your monthly or annual contribution yourself.
