Delivery Truck Strikes Tree on Mt. Vernon Avenue
Tree near the corner of E. Uhler Avenue appeared to be rotting from the inside.
Photos
A tree fell onto Mt. Vernon Avenue after it was struck by a Sysco delivery truck on Wednesday afternoon near the corner of E. Uhler Avenue.
The truck driver said he hit just a branch of the tree, but the collision caused the whole tree to fall over at the stump. The tree appeared to be rotting from the inside.
The driver was making a delivery to HomeMade Pizza Co. across the street from where the truck was parked. The area is not a loading zone, but parking was available to the truck.
The fallen tree blocked the southbound lane of Mt. Vernon Avenue, causing a delay in traffic.
Police did not arrive to the scene until more than 30 minutes after witnesses to the collision dialed the department’s non-emergency number.
Once on the scene, police briefly closed the southbound lane of Mt. Vernon Avenue and diverted traffic onto E. Uhler Avenue to remove the tree.
McBrinn
4:53 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Most certainly rotted through the stump. Who is responsible for making sure such unhealthy trees don't topple onto unlucky residents?
Drew Hansen
4:57 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The city has an Arborist Office: http://alexandriava.gov/Trees
McBrinn
5:08 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Thanks. Maybe they need to run a check on the neighboring trees of the same age. That the tree simply popped at the stump means it was extremely unhealthy. Maybe a disease that's plaqueing other trees in the vicinity?
Gary Griffin
5:19 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I guess the donuts were fresh and the long arm of the law needed 30 minutes to respond? Oops.....
amy lu
12:30 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
The City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs are responsible for allowing undersized tree wells to be constructed during the Mt. Vernon Avenue sidewalk improvements (implemented during the 80's, 90's & naughts). Nationally, arborist have known for decades that conventional tree wells were insufficient for health growth, yet PR&CA continued to spec undersized tree wells - ex. more recent wells just below Commonwealth or just above Monroe Ave.
Who is should be responsible for watering street trees? Who has tried to keep the tree in front of their house/business watered - particularly during drought? Every one needs to be a tree steward, imo. (fyi-dog urine does not count as 'watering')
I remember when there was a joint effort by DRCA/DRBA (then called PWBA) to beautify Mt. Vernon Avenue, increase the depth of tree boxes, plant liriope and keep it all watered. These days PR&CA communications seems not to encourage/support/appreciate community volunteers' horticultural efforts.