FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The City of Fayetteville announced that it will remove over a dozen trees from its Dickson Street entertainment district.
In a release from Jan. 3, the city said that it will remove 14 trees, eight of which are considered invasive species in Fayetteville.
"In all, 14 trees will be replaced both along Dickson Street and in the surface parking lot east of N. West Avenue, between Dickson and W. Watson Street. Eight of the trees are Bradford pears – invasive trees listed on the City of Fayetteville’s invasive species list – two are dead or dying, and the rest are too large for the space available, causing infrastructure and safety issues," the release said.
The removed trees will be replaced with ones native to the area, as well as some native bushes and shrubs, that are appropriate for the space, the release said. The removal is expected to begin on Jan. 4, while the replacements will be planted in the coming weeks and into the spring season.
John Scott, urban forester for the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Department, said that the "current situation is causing a safety hazard for pedestrians along the sidewalk.”
The city says that the Bradford pears were installed before a city ordinance was established restricting invasive species in 2015.
"Urban Forestry staff has reviewed the available spaces for the replacement trees and has selected native species appropriately sized to grow in a hot urban setting," the release said. "The sites offer unique challenges and need shade trees to combat the heat island impact in an urban site."
“Our goal for these projects is to provide a safe space for pedestrians while growing trees that will reach maturity to provide optimal ecosystem benefits,” Scott added.
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