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ASHLAND Ashland affordable housing project would likely mean removal of beloved cottonwood tree Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 8, 2015 at 12:01 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 8, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News A giant, spreading Fremont cottonwood at the corner of lower Clay and Villard streets in Ashland is the focus of much love and grief, as it seems it must fall to make way for several units of much-needed affordable housing. Branded as “hazardous” by some and stable and healthy by others, the tree is forcing a hard choice between support for the environment and support for low-income families in need of a place to live in Ashland, one of the most spendy housing markets in the state. City Administrator Dave Kanner said the city bought the 0.92 acres in 2008 for $325,000, the same price in its purchase agreement with the Housing Authority of Jackson County, which seeks to build 15 to 20 units on the site. If the tree, named Tree of the Year for 2014, is left standing, the HAJC would be able to build only about half that many units, said Jason Elzy, development director for the Housing Authority. A condition of the sale is that the city grant a tree-cutting permit, which the council agreed to at its March 3 meeting. The city Tree Commission is expected to debate the issue at a future monthly meeting. If it declines the tree-cutting permit, as expected, the issue will be appealed to the city Planning Commission, and if it falters there, City Council has the final say, says Councilor Carol Voisin. “Apparently, it is a done deal,” says Voisin, the only no vote on the council. “I was in a tough place because I really support affordable housing and know how deeply we need it," Voisin explained. "It bothers me a lot about the tree." Tree Commission Chairman Greg Trunnell, speaking as a citizen, not a board member, said he takes exception to those who brand the tree as “hazardous” or a menace to public safety as justification for falling it. “We understand the city is looking at removing the tree to accommodate the Housing Authority, but in my opinion, the tree is in good health. The Tree Commission supports saving it. That will be official at the April 9 meeting,” Trunnell said. “But the City Council can overrule all recommendations.” Trunnell calls it “unbelievable” that the city would take down an old-growth tree like the Clay Street cottonwood. “The affordable housing is very essential, but the land is being sold for a minimal amount, a sweetheart deal, and it’s very bizarre,” he says. “I would like to see the city be held accountable.” Kanner said Beaver Tree Service in 2014 reported the tree is “continuing to drop limbs and is not a safe tree.” He said the city hauls 20 cubic yards of branches and limbs annually from the site — and the city recently put up a chain-link fence around it to avoid liability. Neighbors Norma Bowen and Laura Friar, who petitioned to get hundreds of signatures to name it Tree of the Year, were dejected at its impending loss. “We don’t have much land left with old trees," Bowen said. "In the storm, only one limb came down from it. The kids climb all over it like little monkeys, but that’s what we did as kids. Have we forgotten? Now, she is budding out, absolutely beautiful and so much wildlife and birds — falcons, blue jays, woodpeckers, sparrows — find their home there.” Friar added, “I’m devastated. It’s a historic tree. It was here before all of us (settlers). It’s our neighbor. This tree is a solid pillar of our community and raises property values. It’s majestic.” Neighbor Christina Fontaine said, “I’m really sad. I love it. A lot of people want to keep it. When seasons change, a lot of people drive by and say it’s so gorgeous.” Dave Winn, a neighbor who is part Cherokee, said he has prayed around it for years, before the fence went up. He was present, he said, when core samples were taken two years ago, placing the tree’s age at 250 years, meaning it was part of the heritage of his Native American ancestors in the late 1700s. “It really saddens me that they want to cut it just for the money," he said. "I was one of 780 people who signed the petition in favor of the tree. I watched it in the big storm this winter and it barely swayed. It’s very strong. It outrages me they would do this. Several people have said they are going to chain themselves to it or climb it when they try to cut it.” Arborist Casey Roland pruned the tree recently and put steel props under the two big side limbs. “It’s vigorous, a big, happy, healthy tree. A lot of limbs have been removed that shouldn’t have been. Myself, I wouldn’t want to live under it, but I would like to live near it. It’s an awesome, awesome tree.” John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 8, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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