New trees at David and Mayme Graham Park. Photo by Renee Umsted.
There are dozens of new trees at David and Mayme Graham Park, a small park along Abrams Road in Lakewood.
In June, city foresters determined that many of the trees at the park, which stretches from La Vista to Paulus, were at risk of falling into the sidewalk and street. Those trees were removed this month, along with invasive trees.
New trees included Carolina cherry-laurels, Eastern red cedars, Nellie Stevens holly and roughleaf dogwood.
Carolina cherry-laurels grow to about 40 feet tall, but they’re often much shorter. They produce small, cream-colored flowers that grow in clusters. Eastern red cedars can reach a height of over 40 feet. Nellie Stevens holly trees can grow to over 15 feet tall and have dark green, waxy leaves. Roughleaf dogwoods can be described as large shrubs or small trees. They grow to over 15 feet and have shiny green leaves.
Neighbors who were unaware about the situation were concerned when they saw trees being cut. But the decision to remove the vegetation was not made without community meetings in June and August, District 14 Park and Recreation board member Rudy Karimi shared on Facebook.
Tree removal and planting was scheduled for November to limit the amount of time the area would be without trees, which provide a sound and safety barrier for the neighbors on Junius Street.
