When street trees fall, DDOT’s foresters move fast

by Marlene Berlin

When a tree falls in the city, DDOT’s Urban Forestry Administration hears your calls. Even on Sundays.

Last Sunday, around 3 p.m., high winds toppled a tree on 36th Street at Appleton.

Soon, Urban Forestry’s Joe Burckle arrived to survey the damage.

Joe Burckle of Urban Forestry and a couple of neighbor boys check out the damage. (photo courtesy of Malachy Nugent)

Vera Ertem, an arborist who supervises Urban Forestry tree work in our area, said Burckle notified the emergency contractor, Adirondack Tree Experts, at 3:30 p.m.

“They have 2-4 hours response time,” Ertem told us in an email. “They are very responsive, so I am sure it is removed [as of Sunday] night.

Sure enough, by Monday morning only the stump remained. Ertem said another crew would be scheduled to grind it up and take it away.

Urban Forestry is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for such emergencies. Calls to 311 about downed trees are transmitted directly to Urban Forestry, and the agency sends someone to the site to determine what needs to be done.

When power lines are impacted, Urban Forestry asks Pepco for assistance. After Pepco restores power lines and gives clearance that all is safe, Urban Forestry crews move in to complete the work.

In addition to emergency contractors, Urban Forestry has city crews and routine tree work contractors who work during normal business hours, as well as 20 arborists on staff.

We thank the team at Urban Forestry for its quick and efficient action.