Large Tree Removed in Scarsdale Village

A large tree in front of the post office on Chase Road was removed by the Public Works Department on Friday evening October 27. Residents wondered why the tree was being taken down and why the work was being done in the dark.

We spoke to Benedict Salanitro who heads the Scarsdale Public Works Department and he told us that the London Plane tree was rotten to the core and top heavy. It posed a risks to pedestrians and drivers passing underneath it.

With a severe rain and windstorm forecasted for the weekend, Village officials decided they had better take the tree down before it fell. They took it down in the evening to prevent disruption to business at the post office and to Village traffic.

Sure enough, when they cut into it they found the trunk was diseased and hollow. We asked about the age of the tree, but since the trunk was hollow there were no rings to be counted to make the determination.

The stump will be removed and a suitably sized tree will be planted in its place.

Photos from Bruce Wells and the Department of Public Works.