This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Macungie's Main Street May Lose Shade

Sidewalks are lifting as the trees get larger.

Trees along Macungie's Main Street were the focus of the Borough Council meeting  on Aug. 1.

Specifically, some of them will need to be removed in the near future, according to Chris Boehm, borough manager.

Another tree, located at 966 Vine St., also concerned council members. One tree, planted over 30 years ago, affects both the sidewalk and a manhole located nearby as its root system continues to expand.

Find out what's happening in Lower Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“There is no doubt this tree must go,” Boehm said.

Questions arose as to who is responsible for the removal of the tree, which is estimated will cost approximately $750, including the grinding down of the stump.  It is located within the borough’s 12-foot right-of-way, said Boehm, but is on the property owner’s land.

Find out what's happening in Lower Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We have to be very careful how we handle this. It could set a precedent, especially with other the trees that need to be removed,” Council Member Robert Bogert said.

The trees along Main Street have three problems, said Boehm:

  • They are getting too high and are in the wires.
  • Sidewalks are lifting—some as much as four inches—around the base of the trunk, and there is not enough room for them to grow properly.
  • The flowering pear trees are a very dirty type of tree.

“We don’t have the money in our budget to remove all those trees — I didn’t count them, but it will cost a lot,” Boehm said.

“The property owner is responsible for tree and sidewalk maintenance," Council Member Chris Becker said.  "An agreement was signed when the trees were planted during the beautification project.”

Boehm, with the assistance of Solicitor Stephanie Kobal, will check into who is responsible for the removal of the trees. Boehm will also contact tree professionals for recommendations as to what, if anything, can be replanted in their place.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Lower Macungie