City takes down old maple

Earlier this week Spokane urban forestry staff took down an old maple tree that was leaning over Grand Boulevard, just south of the entrance to Manito Park.

“This tree was getting very worrisome,” said Steve Nittolo, horticultural supervisor for the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. “Something damaged it years ago, maybe someone cut some roots. It can take years before the real damage shows up.”

The tree was missing about 50 percent of its bark around the trunk, Nittolo said, and it had become a safety hazard.

“You just try to imagine what would happen if it fell across Grand Boulevard,” Nittolo said.

The sidewalk along Grand Boulevard has been moved farther from the street to make better room for existing and new trees. The Friends of Manito provided financial assistance, making it possible for Parks and Recreation to move the sidewalk instead of just repairing it.

“We will replace this tree and now that the sidewalk has been moved, we’ll be able to plant several more trees,” said Nittolo, adding that planting probably will not happen until spring.