People love trees and with good reason. Not only do they help our climate but they are aesthetically pleasing, and in the case of our more populated communities, they are an important part of their streetscapes.
Certainly, that was a concern on the Shelburne side of Shelburne Falls village, which is undergoing a huge infrastructure project for water lines and sidewalks that has meant the removal of trees lining that part of Bridge Street. As explained at a recent walking tour, a lot of attention is being given to what kinds of trees will be planted and how they will be planted — to the relief of those attending.
We can look south to Northampton, specifically to Warfield Place, which stirred a huge outcry against the removal of cherry trees the city said were unhealthy.
Now we have an appeal by Isaac Mass, co-owner of the Garden Cinemas in Greenfield, who has requested the removal of five mature trees growing along Main Street.
Mass says the trees block the view of the theater’s marquee from those driving past. He said removing them would be in accordance with recommendations made by the consulting firm FinePoint Associates at a March presentation that included more public art installations and better “wayfinding” markers.
“You need to appeal to the drivers so that they will stop and shop,” Mass said during a tree hearing Aug. 6.
Mass said he is in the process of redesigning the marquee into a digital display, which he acknowledged could also be used by the city in emergency situations. The city would bear no expense for the trees’ removal.
At the hearing, Tree Warden Paul Newell noted he received 86 objections by email. People who attended also expressed their opposition, including members of the Tree Committee.
We, too, would like to express our opposition.
Yes, we are aware of how the pandemic has had an adverse impact on the economy, including those businesses that need to draw a sizable crowd such as a movie theater. Owners have had to get creative.
But doing away with five mature trees so drivers can check out what’s playing on a digital screen doesn’t seem to be in the city’s best interest. (None of the trees are directly in front of the marquee.)
Besides, we wager most people check their computers or phones to see what’s playing at the cinema and when. Or they read the listings we print for free on Fridays in our paper.
And let’s consider that for half the year, those trees don’t have any leaves to block the marquee.
While we want Garden Cinemas to be a vital part of Greenfield’s business economy, we don’t feel that should happen at the expense of these trees.
We hope Mayor Roxann Wedegartner, who will make the final decision, will agree.