Politics & Government

Nassau County Begins Replanting of Trees Removed Post-Sandy

County starts with plantings on Searingtown and Shelter Rock Roads.

Story written by Adina Genn and posted by Heather Doyle.

Those mourning the loss of trees that once dotted Searingtown and Shelter Rock Roads in Roslyn and Manhasset, take note. 

On Tuesday, Nassau County workers began planting new trees, including the Cleveland pear and cherry varieties along both sides of these roads. The plantings, which will take place across the county, come just before Arbor Day, which always falls on the last Friday of every April.

“Our island was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, where we lost so many trees,” County Executive Ed Mangano said Tuesday morning. “This is the first 85 trees in an 1,100 tree order that will begin the process of restoring our great county by adding back our trees and the beauty they bring to Nassau County.” 

One variety that is not being replaced is the Bradford pear, which proved not to be sustainable, Mangano said. He added that the county will plant about 120 trees a day, and will continue until all the trees are replaced. 

Post-Sandy, tree removal on Searington and Shelter Rock Roads upset local residents who had treasured the foliage, especially in spring when the trees flowered. Residents questioned why so many trees were cut down, dubious as to whether those trees actually were damaged or affected nearby power lines.

“There was some type of financial motive here because the more they cut, the more they got paid,” Manhasset resident John Vlahakis told CBS New York. “And I think if there was a tree where there was any question that they could cut, they would cut.”

The trees had been removed by Huntington-based Looks Great, which was paid $200 to $5,000 per tree to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements, CBS New York reported. 

Yet Nassau County maintains that the trees were cut down as a matter of public safety. 

“Sandy took those trees down; Nassau did not take those trees down,” Mike Martino of the county’s Department of Public Works, told CBS New York. “Those trees were taken down for the safety of the public.” 

Looks Great is under investigation by the state attorney general and Nassau County district attorney, which are examining how contractors were retained post-Sandy, Newsday reports. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has also launched an investigation, though details into that probe were not available, Newsday reported. 

Meanwhile, on Searingtown Road, new trees are being planted where the other trees were knocked down, Mangano said Tuesday.

“Every attempt will be made to restore the beauty that hurricane Sandy took away,” he said. 

And the new trees, Mangano said, are expected to flower this spring.


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