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Highlands Today

Relocated Trees Please Lake Placid Residents

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Doug Lockhart, manager of Lockhart Service Center in downtown Lake Placid is happy to see the cabbage palm tree additions that are in front of his business on Interlake Boulevard.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: January 29, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Several merchants and the town mayor agreed on Monday that uprooting and replanting six recently planted cabbage palms and installing 11 new ones is an improvement.

A $25,000 Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the Florida Division of Forestry paid for the planting of 127 cabbage palms late last year, and almost immediately, residents said they either loved or hated the addition of the trees.

Complaints from drivers concerning poor visibility at the Eucalyptus Street and Interlake Boulevard intersection even sparked an investigation by the Lake Placid Police Department.

Police found the intersection safe, but Police Chief Phil Williams informally recommended at least two trees should be removed.

Sisters Michele Churley and Lesa Simmonds looked across the street from a window at their restaurant, Placid Pastry Shop, and voiced their approval on Monday.

"It's more cheerful and changes the whole look of the town –– maybe they'll even attract people," said Churley, while Simmonds wondered why the trees were replanted or "put in and taken out, and then put back in."

Mayor Tom Katsanis had favored the new trees since they were first planted, and was pleased that before the trees were replanted, prospective neighbors were polled for their opinions.

"Before we planted, we tried to get comments from store owners about whether the trees would be acceptable," said Katsanis.

Doug Lockhart, manager of Lockhart Service Center, said the new plantings are far better than the landscaping which was replaced. The shop manager said his opinion was sought both in advance and after the trees were planted.

Six trees were removed from Interlake Boulevard at Eucalyptus Street and moved west a couple of blocks on Interlake Boulevard, while 11 trees were planted in the downtown.

Mike Eisenhart, of E'Harts Nursery and Landscaping, oversaw the project. He said the grant also paid the added expense to move the trees and for the new plantings while those six trees had not fully taken root and were not harmed by the uprooting and replanting.

"We want to create the same look throughout the town – a theme – with the same type of trees," said Eisenhart.

The town landscaper said caladiums will add a splash of color to the undergrowth.

While their locks are being trimmed at Alaire's Hair and Nail Design on Interlake Boulevard, clients can view some of the recent plantings.

"It's warmer, more inviting,", said Kathy Alaire, shop owner. "It's always nice to have more greenery."

Kerry Abel, at Tony's Barber Shop on Interlake Boulevard, said the new landscaping located directly in front of his business is "pretty and creates a homey atmosphere."

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