Town removes old cottonwoods

Two 100-year-old cottonwoods at Minden Park were removed Thursday because the trees were hollow and their roots caused problems with the sidewalk and curb.

"The trees were just rotten and becoming a liability," said Greg Hill, Minden public works director. "The roots had caused a 3-inch heave in the sidewalk and it was starting to happen again. The best thing was to take those out and get new trees planted."

Cottonwood removal and replanting is part of the town's 20-year plan to eventually remove all the dying trees.

Hill said the cottonwoods were being replaced with red oak.

"Those two were so close together, we removed both of them," he said. "We've found that the best thing is to take out both. If we leave one in, the new one doesn't do too well. It gets shaded out."

Hill said next week employees will remove the cottonwood stumps and replace about 40 feet of sidewalk.

Four of the original cottonwoods remain in the park.

He said passers-by watched the tree removal, but didn't seem concerned about the historic change in landscape.

"They wanted the wood," he said.