BHCA Requests Removal of Synthetic Material from Mt. Vernon St. Tree-pits in Fall

Synthetic material in tree-pit near corner of Mt. Vernon and Walnut streets.

The Beacon Hill Civic Association is asking the city to remove a synthetic, porous material from tree-pits on Mt. Vernon Street this fall.

“We request the removal of the new material from the two tree pits at 91 Mt. Vernon, on the corner of Louisburg Square, as soon as it is deemed safe by [the city arborist],” BHCA Executive Director Suzanne Besser wrote to City Councilor Mike Ross. “The removal will be in the fall after the elm bark beetle feeding season, which could infect the cut roots of the two elms.”

Through the efforts of Ross’ office, BHCA board member John Corey joined representatives of the city’s Parks Department and Public Works Department last Tuesday to inspect the Mt. Vernon Street tree-pits. The Civic Association had requested the meeting with the city after first learning of the installation of the material from residents early last week.

The city reportedly responded quickly to the Civic Association’s concerns, stopping work on ongoing installation of the material and giving its assurance that no more pits would be filled in with the sponge-like substance in the immediate future.

The city was said to be seeking community input regarding the possible removal of the material.

The city wasn’t immediately available for comment.

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