ALABAMA COMMUNITIES OF EXCELLENCE

Jacksonville Tree Committee Citizen Survey
241 Survey Participants
Results Tallied 3/28/08

Narrative Comments Section

Town Character and Business District

The major tree issues in my community are related to:

• Commercial development // Alabama Power is not the problem and current lawsuit diverts attention from the real problems, which this survey does address.
• I would like to see J'ville look more planned and not so mismatched. Trees will help make the town look more planned.
• The city needs more trees –my street has plenty but the town itself could use more
• Interested in Seeing Jacksonville Preserve its beauty with all the new development.
• Disregard of years invested before a tree is mature and notable in a landscape when a new business wants to clear a spot & erect an often ugly, cheap-looking building. Growth of city should be planned & controlled to reflect our concern for future generations.
• Restoration of Stores, Roads, Highways.
• The fact that large companies/utilities are cutting down the large beautiful trees that have long provided shade, [and] culture to our communities at the same time businesses are destroying anything green in favor of concrete jungles as far as the eye can see. // One only need to look at the difference in the businesses and roadways North of the square to realize the added value, beauty and quality the trees and landscape provide for a property. The concrete-wall-to-wall concrete that surround the business south of the square make the city look cheap and its spreading north-there is a reason that the McDonald's in this town has won so many awards for landscaping. Despite being one store in a very large town it is unique, in large part because of the landscaping that was put in place when it was installed. / One can only hope that city leaders realize that Jacksonville is losing many of the very characteristics that made the town unique. Soon and very soon it is going to look like every other town that has put up the exact same stores with the exact same floor plans, the exact same architectural design and the exact same small patch of greenery (the last if we are very lucky). / Businesses will work with city ordinances if they want to come into the community-as a former resident of other towns, I've seen it happen. But they are also willing to help this town become another cookie cutter suburb. / It's up to us to make the difference.
• I have no problem, they are gorgeous! // I can completely understand all the growth needed in town, but there are some things like the trees that provide great scenery and keep this town the little community that it is.
• Building without regard to old Trees as on Greenleaf Plantation the Historical Oak // Pay attention to Size Type & historical importance
• Money should not be the defining argument in all situations.
• The defrimation of historical trees in and around my area...and I, for one, think it is a travesty and completely absurd. // Trees provide natural beauty to all of Alabama, and we should do our jobs in preserving this!!!
• New housing construction. Alabama Power
• Power lines & new businesses causing them to be cut down
• (re: question 5 on tree worker certification): need to give these jobs to unemployed people-even if directed by a certified corp. / see Tallahassee FL-beautiful city, very urban but this sort of plan utilized there has been a huge success
• Alabama Power, developer // definately need to plant more trees along south & west sides of roads-easily done through an ordience
• Visual appeal to create a desire for public to want to park & get out of the car & shop here.
• It is a real shame to cut down trees just to build some ugly building or to mess up some natural space in order to build a disgusting fast food restaurant.
• Preservation // When designing a tree ordinance, care must be taken to balance the needs of the community with the rights of property owners. While tree preservation is obviously a desirable goal and that some regulation is needed, excessive regulation is also something to be avoided.
• The city needs help with adding more trees + landscape along Hwy 21, especially from Mountain St. south to Walmart. Anniston has a nice median filled with beautiful trees. Why not J'ville? / Even the town square looks bare. No shade trees.
• The trimming and/or destruction of historic trees for the sake of progress.
• The cedars on either end of the square being removed was shameful in act and maybe this will give pause before corporations knee-jerk an excuse to over protect the public. I ate some of the pecans first produced by wilson's trees. Carpe' diem (signed)
• We are no longer a beautiful town because of the many butchered trees. Our property values are lowered and it is scarry that one company has so much power (no pun intended).
• Preservation of existing older trees; planning for tree management in conjunction with new development // I am strongly in support of a tree ordinance. With regard to [question] #4, I am not sure how ordinances should differ-if at all. Tree planting policies should be in place for all types of development, with an eye toward keeping Jacksonville a town characterized by its trees. This would be a very different place without our trees, and they are not easily replaced.
• 1) The way in which new businesses clear-cut their lots when they get ready to put up buildings. 2) The freedom of Alabama Power to cut down any tree they have a legal right to cut down. 3) The need for more green space in the downtown area.
• Alabama Power refusing to cut trees that are an ACTUAL threat to their lines. They are extremely arbitrary in their decisions. // Saving and planting trees is just good common sense. It's good for the environment, property values...How can this even be an issue?
• Power lines (so build underground utilities, it looks better anyway). Grading for commercial and residential development (concentrate more on greenspace) // More Trees in Jacksonville would add to the beauty of this town and the charm. Just look at Quintard. It's a shame that so many trees have already been lost due to grading and builders leveling lots.
• ALL the terrible asphalt jungles! Even with the newest restaurant, Quizno's, the parking lot goes right up to the sidewalk. It's SO harsh! Look at Winn Dixie, Kitty Stone, Wal-Mart, the hospital...all the big retail and large parking lot areas. They are awful...very ugly and HOT during most of the year! Also, wouldn't neighborhoods be nicer with sidewalks and trees? // Thank You for your work!
• Trees are very important to our eco system. And of course, to different species who need them as shelter and safe haven. Trees also clean and filter the area. Deforestation is the most destructive thing humans are doing. Development and greedy developers are disregarding the importance of nature. I hope that ecologist and other science professionals can call to an awareness to this worldwide and local problem. This city needs to clean up its act. Clean up the existing homes and buildings. I recently had a case where they burned tons of hazard material 100 yards from an apartment building Eagle Landing, behind Cooter's BBQ. The smoke and toxins which were in the air where unbearable and TOXIC and poison to all living things. Not to mention the ozone. Stupidity! I think all Americans should have to take a manitory course on ecology! AWARENESS is the answer! Let's talk about the city water next! Thanks (signed)
• New development
• Even though Alabama Power lost their fight to remove trees, they're still able to scalp them. A tree in our yard was "trimmed" beyond recognition, and the once-beautiful flowering pears in front of Winn Dixie look positively ugly now that APC's essentially sawed them in half. Surely there's a better way? // I've never heard anyone say, "This community has too many trees." Anything we can do to encourage the planting and sustenance of trees in Jacksonville has my total support.
• With all the serious issues this town has, trees are NOT something I am concerned about.
• Old people not wanting to modernize the community, I understand for the need of trees, but if they are causing problems especially for drivers they need to be cut.
• Cutting our large old trees. We are getting more fast food restaurants on our main street and all trees are removed. We can't have tree lined streets in old neighborhoods because of power lines. The company either butchers the trees or removes them.
• Too many large trees are being trimmed excessively in town and it seems that there are quire a few that are simply being cut down altogether. There are also too many housing developments (including my own) that slash every tree off all of the lots and leave nothing behind. New business should do everything they can to keep old growth trees on developing property. Jacksonville also needs some additional green space within the city that will encourage outdoor use and beautify the look of the town.

Environmental Benefits

The major tree issues in my community are related to:

• Jacksonville, Alabama
• Thank you for the form. Hopefully it would help the local trees.
• Not enough...would love to have more in the area.
• Not enough kind of trees.
• To Environmental & Beautification Issues
• Losing our beautiful old shade trees and even whole forests. Many people need educating about the benefits of trees. // Thanks for your hard work! Jacksonville definitely needs an ordinance and a tree planting plan.
• It's a shame that several trees have already been cut.
• Alabama Power. Environmental Issues.
• Cut em Down // Trees are dangerous, they are only good for firewood
• Remember: Trees = Oxygen
• Save the trees ?
• Shade Trees, Old Oak, Pecan Trees
• Cutting down landmark trees. // Recycle this survey!
• Trees keep the air clean & help shade our homes. They provide homes for animals and shade for everyone. Children also play in them. We need our trees.
• Not enough trees, and dying trees
• Take care of our trees!
• Don't Cut Trees
• Large Trees
• Preservation. The trees are a vital part of the southeast and we are fortunate to have them.
• We truly need a tree ordinance in Jacksonville to protect our historic and other beautiful trees!! We also need guidelines for tree pruning services to follow when trimming our trees. We should try to protect our trees and not cut them to the ground to save pruning costs for Alabama Power Company!
• Save the trees!! Woohoo!!
• Trees are awesome!
• Preserve trees
• Keeping the sun out and will shade our yards. The O2 layer is thin enough.
• Need to protect our natural environment.
• Cutting improperly and without cause. Leave our oxygen alone.

UTILITY ISSUES

• Property owners should be notified before trees are cut or trimmed. New electricial distribution lines should be buried.
• Power lines should be buried or otherwise situated so that they do not interfere with trees. Burying lines also has the benefit of removing unsightly poles and wires from the city.
• Major tree issues: Utility company "rights of way". Comments: I would like tree companies performing tree work within the city to give written notice at least two weeks before they plan to remove or trim any trees. As it now stands, the work is often done before the homeowners even know about it.
• Alabama Power needs to bury all lines and not cut down and butcher trees!!
• Major tree issues: Alabama Power's convenience, to save money. Comments: there are numerous benefits to having trees around. The more the better. If Alabama Power is inconvenienced by the trees interfering with powerlines, start a plan to put the lines underground!! Most cities do that!
• I understand why tree limbs need to be cut back, but do not understand why the tree limbs have to be slaughtered. The trees that have been trimmed look ugly! Maybe the tree trimming company needs to be re-schooled!!!
• I had a beautiful birch tree cut off to the ground with no warning by the city once. I was sick. It wasn't even around power lines. They could have trimmed it or something.
• Major tree issues: Alabama Power.
• Major tree issues: the power company damages the trees by trimming them too much.
• Major tree issues: the cutting of old historic trees in the right of way or by power lines on private/public property.
• Major tree issues: the power company kills the trees by hacking them to pieces. Comments: the trees were there long before the power company came. How to go around the trees is their problem and expense.
• Major tree issues: when the county cut trees around our property, they really damaged them a lot of them.
• Major tree issues: Al power cutting down old hardwoods and pretty trees.
• Major tree issues: Buford and Alabama Power.
• Major tree issues: Alabama Power's "right of way".
• Major tree issues: AL Power overstepping their policy of tree trimming and destroying trees by incorrect pruning or cutting them down completely.
• Major tree issues: they are cut too often even for powerline safety.
• Major tree issues: you cut trees that are not in the way. Comments: you should keep trees trimmed but don't cut completely down unless endangerment is close.
• While preservation is important, I feel it is also very important to keep limbs out of the power lines. One persons tree or limb could cause many others to be out of power.
• I think Al. Power does a good job of keeping my electricity on. I appreciate their efforts.
• Major tree issues: Al Power being able to cut down any tree they want no matter what size or age or reason, especially their decision to cut rather than trim. Comments: Thank you.
• Major tree issues: over aggressiveness of utility companies.
• Major tree issues: The company that was contracted out by Alabama Power that butchered the maple tree in our back yard that wasn't in the right of way.
• I hope the butchering of one side of the trees can be stopped. What happened to just trimming the limbs? We need to stop them before all our trees are gone.
• Major tree issues: The unbridled group of Burford's Tree trucks cruising our town that contain twenty-somethings who have obviously been told to cut anything they can down to the ground. These guys know nothing about trees or the possible dangers (or lack thereof) to the power lines. Comments: They cut a tree on my property without notice. The next time I saw them, they wanted to cut four more trees and I refused. I was told to call a supervisor. The supervisor told me to he would bring by a refusal form for me sign. He left it on my door that afternoon (as I was away from my home) and told me he would pick it up the next day. I left it there as he asked. It is still taped to my door...22 days later.
• Major tree issues: Irresponsible cutting by Alabama Power's contractor. Tree's being cut and trimmed in a very aggressive way that reflects a botched appearance with one side of trees fully limbed and the cut side naked.
• Major tree issues: interference with the delivery of utilities. Secondary damage during storms.
• When Alabama Power needs to cut down a tree so that they can take care of the power lines, then they should have every right to.
• Major tree issues: ALABAMA POWER'S SUPREME AUTHORITY TO DESTROY OUR TREES.
• Major tree issues: Alabama Power's Tree cutting policy changes. Comments: We need to keep a watchful eye on Alabama Power and their "arborists"...The change in their trimming policy is bad news for homeowner, businesses, and the city in general! Be vigilant!
• Major tree issues: The Alabama Power Company's cutting trees to the ground instead of just trimming them, as in the past. Comments: I strongly support this initiative and would be willing to help work on it as time allows. Thank you for doing this.
• Major tree issues: ALABAMA POWER COMPANY CUTTING HISTORICAL AND OTHER TREES IN JACKSONVILLE UNNECCESSARILY. Comments: THIS (SURVEY) IS WONDERFUL!!!! WE HAVE NEEDED THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS

• Major tree issues: Educating the public of proper tree to plant in specific areas. Stopping Alabama Power in improper trimming and destroying of our city trees. Providing more Arbor Day and Earth Day programs and tree give-aways like county commission provided in District 5 this year with the Calhoun County Beautification Board. Comments: I am interested in serving on a tree board for the city of Jacksonville. I would like to see J'ville become a Tree City, USA. I helped develop the current Tree City manual for the State of Alabama. I have had many years of urban forestry training, including workshops and conferences. I am a member of the Calhoun County Beautification Board. Thanks.
• See Wall Street Journal article on Shortage of Saw Dust: If you are going to cut down trees, do not allow open burning!! There should be required trees space on all large parking lots. There should be proper drainage. All commercial and residential new building should be designed with rain water collection facilities on roofs, solar panels, and incorporate grey water collection.
• I would like to see a community garden available to those who need a garden space to grow their own vegetables. A new stream would be required. Something off Germania Springs Park?
• No its hard enough to see at intersections. Will a registered forester be required. Better check with the state forestry board.
• Don't cut them down off Mountain Street.
• Major tree issues: Please recycle this paper. This is what needs to be watched. Comments: Recycle.
• Major tree issues: Stupid people. Comments. Get a life.
• We need a Tree Board. One that has enforcement powers.

PROPERTY RIGHTS

• The city take care of city. Owners take care of owners.
• Major tree issues: Human Rights.
• Major tree issues: Safety. Comments: We have regulated and inhibited(?) and required certification that we've destroyed more than it helps! Check the cost to perform such!
• Major tree issues: safety and weather. Comments: This is a stupid idea where the government runs my life.
• Major tree issues: cutting down historic old trees. Comments: I think if trees are on your property, they should be allowed to say if it should be cut down or not, not Alabama Power.
• Major tree issues: 1. Damage to property caused by old, decaying trees left standing. 2. Trees, shrubs, bushes, etc. planted on rights of ways and utility easements that impede necessary access and create significant damage (roots in sewer pipe, etc.) Comments: Be careful when you begin asking for more and more government control of privately owned property. One day John Q. Citizen will find that owning property is in name and taxes only if you pass excessive regulations where not needed.
• I believe property owners should decide themselves what to do about trees on their property. Trees on individual property is no ones business!!
• While I support the ideas behind many of the suggestions, I also strongly support individual property rights and less government. The City should plant more trees without passing burdensome regulations!
• Major tree issues: The are on the land that I own; therefore no on but me should have the right to remove them. Comments: I am more concerned about the loss of our individual rights than I am about the loss of my trees. However, they have been here longer than us and fore the most part look better too. Tree assessment plan?
• What you don your own property is your own business. This is still a free country, or is it? We have more laws than we know what to do with, laws and fees.
• Major tree issues: Desecration and Destruction of God's Creation!!! Comments: Citizens rights should supercede those of conglomerates and billion dollar corporations.
• Major tree issues: New commercial development. Comments: Do what you want with your own land. (Interpreted "public land") But if you were to try to tell me what to do on my land that I bought with my money and already paid you my money in taxes, you would have a violent fight on your hands. It is a great idea to preserve trees, but a terrible trampling of individual rights when the government tries to control what someone can plant or remove from privately owned lands. This is America. That place were people killed and died 230 years ago so that tyrannical governments would not try to control us. That place where individual rights are protected from the government by the Constitution.
• Comments: while I agree that trees are important and that we should try to preserve them, usually it is none of the government's business what private citizens do with THEIR trees.
• Major tree issues: People who have trees which are located in such places that they interfere with public utilities and rights of way. The good of the many instead of the right's of one must be considered here. Comments: You cannot legislate what legal things people can do on their own property. Only those things which are deemed generally illegal can and should be addressed by law.