Root-intensive trees should be removed from public land

Being somewhat educated about landscaping, I know which species of trees should be planted in the right locations and the wrong ones. One of the best examples of wrong tree location is 43 Street West, between Cortez Road West and 53rd Avenue West.

Halfway down 43rd Street are now massive live oak trees, planted 15 feet apart and about three feet in from the concrete sidewalk. These fast-growing trees' root systems are pushing up and breaking almost the entire length of the sidewalk.

Caution barricades have been in place for months now. It's a classic example of an "in-and-out" landscape firm that didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. Mega bucks to repair the sidewalk as the roots continue to grow. I really shouldn't be writing this letter, but this wrong tree place scenario is laughable at best.

I can only think of one way to solve this problem of continuing sidewalk repairs. A stick of dynamite for each and every one of those invasive trees should do it. Anybody got a better solution? Let me know. Look me up; I am in the book.

Tim Sanor

Bradenton

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Root-intensive trees should be removed from public land ."