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It may have been bad timing but the trees cleared from the perimeter of the Asbury Park circle on Earth Day posed a safety hazard, according to a letter addressed to Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth).

In the letter, New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Stephens said, “The trees were removed due to severe decay.”

In a Saturday afternoon conversation, Beck said, “Could the DOT have planned a worse day to do their tree cutting.”

Beck said the state contracts an arborist to vet trees on state on land. The cutting was done as a preventive measure, she said.

And while the state will work with the municipality on what will be replanted to replace the felled trees, shee too agreed that a heads up would have been best.

[See: EARTH DAY CLEARING AT ASBURY CIRCLE QUESTIONED]

From the letter:

As we discussed I just wanted to provide you with some information regarding the trees that the department of transportation removed this afternoon.

First and foremost please note that the trees were removed due to severe decay which we believe posed a safety issue. I would like to assure you and your constituents these were not healthy trees which were removed. The department strives to retain and maintain any healthy foliage along all of our roads state wide.

Additionally I would like to inform you that I have already begun discussions with our Good Neighbor Landscaping Program” to see what we might be able to put back in its place. I will of course keep you in the loop on how that progresses and any help you may be able to provide.

If you have any additional questions please let me know. I’m also happy to speak with any elected officials or constituents who may ask for further information.

Sincerely,
Scott Stephens
Director, Community and Constituent Relations New Jersey Department of Transportation

[Photos courtesy of the NJDOT]

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