RIP, Comstock elm

The City Parks Department cut down an elm in Comstock Park Friday. It was a traumatic event, or so one might assume from the press release issued announcing the tree’s demise.

In it we find out the tree’s age (60-70 years), its species (Siberian elm), pre-removal treament (airspading of the roots to determine damage) and just about everything but its name. (We’ll call it Ivan.)

Ivan’s roots were damaged by an irrigation project. The department had hoped to save him, but alas, the air spading revealed too much damage. Coupled with his proximity to a retaining wall and the sidewalk, it was das vidana Ivan.

Some of his comrades might get the ax — well, probably the chain saw — too. To read the whole press release, go inside the blog.