Dear Manager Ryan, I am writing to you because this is yet another request for a healthy tree to be cut down when the sidewalk can be fixed with WITHOUT cutting the tree down. It costs more for the city to cut the tree down than to make a smooth concrete ramp over the sidewalk lift (note that I am not suggesting the city take the damaged concrete up as that WILL hurt the tree, just smooth over the crack with a concrete ramp). This resident will not end up repairing the sidewalk or be held accountable to repair it after the tree is taken down. So we lose a tree and the sidewalk never gets fixed and that makes zero sense. I have already contacted our Councilman and the Office of Sustainability is next to remind the city that we need these trees to clean our air and restore our tree canopy, which is a goal of the mayors. I hope you will work with me to protect this tree and solely repair the sidewalk.

Also, who is this anonymous Newark neighbor who is requesting the tree be taken down?

Thank you Liz. It is current department policy not to remove trees due to sidewalk issues alone and only remove trees that are considered an imminent hazard. I will have to inspect this site regardless, so if the tree is assessed to be in fair, good, or excellent condition it will stay.

This location has been added, to the inspection list.