Old Sweetgum Trees Coming Down Along Constitution Avenue

Some trees that have a bit of a messy reputation are being removed along Constitution Avenue in Hellertown borough in the area of the Hellertown Area Library. The 10 sweetgum trees on the east side of the street across from Dimmick Park and have provided shade between the library parking lot and Juniper Road for many years.

Two workers from Asplundh remove a sweetgum tree in front of the Hellertown Area Library parking lot Wednesday afternoon. The Asplundh crew is working to remove 10 old sweetgum trees and damaged sidewalk along Constitution Avenue across from Dimmick Park; a job a company employee called larger than expected.

Some trees that have a bit of a messy reputation are being removed along Constitution Avenue in Hellertown borough in the area of the Hellertown Area Library.

The 10 sweetgum trees on the east side of the street across from Dimmick Park and have provided shade between the library parking lot and Juniper Road for many years.

They have a date with a chainsaw this week not because of the cylindrical seed pods they shed in abundance, but because their root systems have extensively damaged the sidewalk in that area, with about two-thirds of the squares now deemed non-compliant.

Hellertown Borough Council last month approved a proposal to work with Asplundh in order to remove the trees and damaged sidewalk at a substantial cost savings to the borough.

Once the trees and sidewalk are taken out, new pedestrian-friendlier sidewalk will be installed and appropriate street trees will be planted in place of the sweetgums.

Borough manager Cathy Hartranft said Wednesday that the borough hopes to offer residents the opportunity to plant a “memorial tree” in honor of a loved one who has passed away.

More information about that program–if it is offered–will be available at a later date.