I think Kendall already adequately explained our position on favoring 'any' tree over pear at this time. Had we kept the remaining trees we still would have inserted another genus between them. Pear is not included on the Recommended Species List at this time due to disease potential and vulnerability in wind events. David Jahn, City Forester 6520 Stanton Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-665-3625 412-665-4316 FAX david.jahn@city.pittsburgh.pa.us -----Original Message----- From: courtney ehrlichman [mailto:courtney.ehrlichman@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 11:07 AM To: diana.ames@verizon.net; Jahn, David Cc: neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us; kendall.pelling@eastliberty.org; jester, eric Subject: Trees on E. liberty Blvd Hi David and Diana, The community is quite shocked and saddened by the now barren strips of center median on E. Liberty Blvd. The blossoming of the flowering pear trees were a much awaited spectacle every season and softened the effects of the high speed traffic. We are thankful that the Duquesne Light has rightly agreed to replant trees there. However, the concern is that the trees should be replaced with the Callery Pears, as this continues on the whole Boulevard and is what was there before. If you could please explain the thinking behind planting sycamores there, the community would be much obliged. They would be even more obliged if you replanted the callery pears ; ) Many thanks, Courtney Ehrlichman Tree Hugger Extraordinare