The recent wintry weather forced the Town of Wake Forest to postpone the tree removal project along North Main Street originally scheduled for the week of Jan. 15. Crews will be removing three large maple trees that are in poor condition. Young healthy trees will be planted to replace them.
Weather permitting, tree crews from Wake Forest Power will resume their efforts along North Main Street, from North Avenue to the 500 block of North Main on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The work will continue daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. until completed.
As part of the initiative, crews will close the southbound lane of North Main, from West Cedar Avenue to West Juniper Avenue, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, and the southbound lane of North Main from West Pine Street to Front Street on Thursday, Jan. 25. Both lane closures will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are necessary to allow crews to remove the three large maple trees. Signed detours will be in place directing southbound traffic around the work areas. Delays are expected, so motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route if possible.
Urban Forestry Coordinator Jennifer Rall has identified the trees slated for removal as being in poor condition and in need of replacement. The usable wood from the trees that are cut down will be donated to families in need of firewood. The smaller limbs and branches will be chipped up and distributed as wood chips.
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is partnering with the Urban Forestry Division to replant trees along North Main to preserve the street’s tree cover, which is vital to the area’s historic character. The HPC voted to utilize a portion of the proceeds from the 2016 Christmas Historic Home Tour to fund the tree planting.
Additional tree removal and replacements will occur as funding becomes available. Tree replantings will begin once all the identified trees are removed.
For more information, contact Jennifer Rall at 919-435-9565 or jrall@wakeforestnc.gov.
