I received an email from Diana Ames, the Shade Tree Commission Chair, about these trees. however I encourage you to contact her and the forester to voice your opinion as flowering pear trees really are beautiful there. David Jahn, City Forester: David.Jahn@city.pittsburgh.pa.us Diana Ames, Shade Tree Commission Chair: diana.ames@verizon.net Best to cc: Eldi kendall.pelling@eastliberty.org Community input here is vital. Please do send them both an email voicing your concern. Diana's email below: : Dear Tree Friends, You've probably noticed Duquesne Light's enormous construction project along East Liberty Blvd. has caused some damage to the trees in the median--most of which are Callery pears which were in poor condition anyway. Jenny Arkett has made a wonderful offer to replace all of these trees with real shade trees (sycamores) and the City Forester has agreed. Just wanted to give you a heads up that the old broken trees will be removed possibly as early as tomorrow, but they will be replaced. Because the City crews maintain the planting strip, Jenny is requesting that Eisler Nursery create a larger than typical mulch area around the new trees to protect them from lawn mowers. We will need to be vigilant about these trees and make sure we get recruit Tree Tenders for them ASAP. Best, Diana Diana M. Ames, Chair Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission 412.361.4838