Two Richmonders are willing to pay the cost of bolstering a big willow oak in North Side that the city recently marked for removal.
One of the residents, veterinarian Kim Kuhn, lives beside the tree in the 3900 block of Seminary Avenue in Ginter Park.
Kuhn said two members of the city's urban-forestry staff told her Monday that the oak would be cut unless she paid an expert to bolster it with cables.
The 85-foot-tall tree has a crack between a fork about 20 feet above the ground. City officials say one side of the tree could fall and hurt someone, exposing the city to a lawsuit.
Kuhn said she is happy to have the chance to fix the tree at her expense. Still, she said, that would set a bad precedent -- residents paying for work the city should be doing.
"There needs to be a plan for preserving our green infrastructure instead of cutting it down one tree at a time," Kuhn said.
Some residents have long contended that the city is too quick to cut valuable trees after marking them as hazards. Kuhn is stepping into the battle for the first time.
In late October, city workers painted an orange X on the oak and posted a sign on it reading, "This tree is scheduled to be removed." Someone has since removed the sign.
City spokesmen say no decision has been made on whether to cut the tree.
But Kuhn said the urban-forestry representatives, John Chupek and Norm Brown, made clear the tree would be cut if she didn't have it bolstered to industry standards.
"They have made up their minds," Kuhn said. "But every tree is a hazard if you want to look at it that way."
The tree stands on city property beside the street.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch asked Sharon R. North, a city spokeswoman, what came of the talks between Chupek, Brown and Kuhn. "No definitive decisions have been made at this time," North said by e-mail. "The talks are still ongoing."
Kuhn hired three tree experts who examined the oak and called it a low-to-moderate risk that could be repaired for about $300. The city estimates the cost at up to $2,500.
South Richmond philanthropist and retired real estate investor W.E. Singleton, 75, says he, too, would pay to bolster the oak.
"I would love to see this tree saved," he said. "It's a gorgeous tree."
Kuhn said she welcomed Singleton's offer and might split the costs with him. The two have not talked. Kuhn said she first wanted to work out details on how to bolster the tree.
Kuhn said she and others plan to ask the City Council tonight for a policy of saving valuable trees when possible.
The advocates say trees provide economic benefits such as cooling homes and reducing air pollution.
Contact Rex Springston at (804) 649-6453 or rspringston@timesdispatch.com
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