Coeur d’Alene no longer has the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers demanding a clear-cut of trees along its waterfront Dike Road. But the city is busy removing dozens of pines that adorn the dike anyway, for flood control purposes. The Dike Road (aka Rosenberry Drive) separates Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River from the historic Fortgrounds area, which includes North Idaho College. As you may recall, the corps went bonkers after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans and ordered cities, like Coeur d’Alene, to remove trees that destabilize dikes. Coeur d’Alene officials dug in their heels to protect the viewtiful treed area. Now, Coeur d’Alene, a Tree City USA town, is compromising by removing weak and diseased trees, as well as underbrush. I counted 50 newly cut stumps, including one that had a diameter of 4 to 5 feet, during a walk Thursday along the north shore. What does this mean for you sun worshippers this summer? You’ll find an open vista of the water when you visit. I like the new look. But I would urge tree huggers planning to check out the Dike Road work to take a Xanax first/DFO, Sunday Huckleberries. More here.

Any further thoughts re: tree trimming along Dike Road?