Mower runs over the city’s new trees
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Kuhn, whose department had received a grant to help with last year’s planting of 89 trees designed to act as a “gateway” to the city in conjunction with the city’s beautification efforts, told members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday that contractors for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, who were mowing in the area last week, damaged some of the trees planted there.
After initially losing six of the trees to “planting stress,” 83 remained and were watered once weekly, mulched and fertilized since last year, Kuhn said.
Of the 83 trees, 38 of them were damaged after being hit by mowers or weed eaters. Two were completely removed, he said.
“Out of that 38, 14 of the 38 needed some type of removal, either total or partial. They’re a mess,” Kuhn said. “I’m not happy with it at all.”
Kuhn said he contacted TDOT, which gave him the names of the local inspector as well as the contractor, J&H Construction of Cookeville, whom he had made contact with through messages and returned phone calls but had not been able to speak with directly.
J&H Construction owner James Hall said Tuesday in response to the allegations that he attempted to make contact with the Department of Urban Forestry several times but had not been able to reach Kuhn yet.
Hall said he had not been able to inspect any alleged damage and said he is currently referring questions about the mowing to the state.
“I can’t talk to you any more about this because there is no need of it. I’ve tried to work through the channels with him and I left him a message this morning that he needs to talk to the state,” Hall said.
Kuhn estimated if all 38 trees had to be replaced, it would cost more than $2,500 but said he was uncertain how many will eventually need to be replaced, considering there are varying levels of damage. However, he said he should also take into account maintenance, saying they were tended to once a week from May through October.
Kuhn said in working through the grant process and gaining permission to plant near the bridge, which is located at Highway 70S and the Highway 55 Bypass, he had a contract with the state that specified the city was responsible for the area immediately surrounding the trees and that contractors were not supposed to be near the plantings.
Kuhn added Wednesday he was able to make contact with the state and that officials were to assess any damage.