Damaged trees removed in Williamsville
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The removal of trees damaged in the October storm has begun in the Village of Williamsville, and residents are asking why.

Mayor Mary Lowther said the village worked with a county-appointed arborist to assess the trees before determining which ones had to be removed.

"Residents are concerned, but once I explain a certified arborist checked all these trees then they understand," she said, adding that numerous calls have been fielded by her office since removal began last week.

While many residents hoped the village would wait for spring to see if the trees would heal, Lowther said the determination for tree removal was very specific, including percentage of crown loss and damage to the bark.

"Just standing on the ground you may not see the damage," Lowther said. "One hundred trees were identified for removal."

Arborists explained that a tree tagged for removal may be budding now, but it won't make it more than a year, she said.

"This wasn't done willy-nilly; a tree won't be removed unless it absolutely has to," she said. "It is emotional, and I think people forget what we faced in October."

Lowther said she understands that losing a tree from one's front yard can be upsetting, but a tree wouldn't have been removed unless it was necessary.

Erie County is handling the removal of trees and is expecting reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The village will be responsible for costs associated with stump grinding and replanting - part of a program already underway.

Anyone with questions on tree removal should call Lowther's office at 632-4120, ext. 3006.