Spring blossoms bring new beginnings, but for the branches lining Market Street in York, a fresh start means turning over more than just a leaf.
City officials, in partnership with the Rotary Club of York, announced plans this week to remove the historic Bradford pear trees due to safety concerns.
"The Bradford pear grows so quickly," said Aaron Jacobs, with the Rotary Club of York. "They have very heavy canopies, so the trunks tend not to want to support that."
The trees, which stretch from Pershing Avenue to Duke Street, have become a familiar sight for residents and visitors. Beneath their beautiful spring display, however, lies a growing problem.
According to Jacobs, the trees pose significant hazards to the community.
Click here to view the Fox43 News Piece!
"They are not as stable as other trees," he explained. "They're more prone to breaking up in high wind storms or snow storms with heavy snows."
Bradford pear trees are classified as an invasive species that threatens native plants. More concerning for city officials, however, is the danger they present to pedestrians, vehicles and buildings, as their poorly supported branches hang precariously over sidewalks.
"They're really more of a danger and a threat to the buildings, the vehicles and pedestrians, so now it's more of a matter of safety than the tree itself," Jacobs noted.
The removal project is scheduled to begin in August, with approximately 60 new trees to be planted by October. The Rotary Club of York will fund both the stump removal of the old trees and the planting of replacements.
"Without a cost to the taxpayer for the trees and the installation, this is a great gift to the community," Jacobs said.
City officials have not yet announced what species will replace the Bradford pears but have indicated they will select varieties that are both native to the region and structurally sound for an urban environment.