Submitted by tom murphy, Oct 5, 2007 12:12

My father had a tree planted out front when Mayor Lindsay was in office. I think there was only a nominal charge and the work of cutting the concrete pad and planting was done by the block association. I'm proud of it and I maintain it. Please be warned: with it's benefits (summer shade and curb-appeal) come after-market costs. The roots have pushed up the walkway and I've had to replace sections on two occasions. I carry extra liability insurance just in case someone rings my bell to inform me that my tree has done them injury. I understand the City now requires an even larger tree cut that makes for a greater risk. Passers-by treat it as a waste receptacle continually dropping litter which I, the homeowner, must remove on a schedule invented by the City's Department of Sanitation. Once I was not timely enough and this resulted in a $100 fine. Of course I'm lucky. My neighbor had his tree's roots crush his sewer line and that resulted in a $5000 unexpected capital improvement.
Can you tell me: When CPC says the City will maintain the tree, does that mean anything to the homeowner?

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.