Gateway removes line of trees to community members’ dismay, set to discuss options

Neighbors are frustrated dozens of beloved trees won’t line their drive home anymore, but the community says they needed to come down. It said it will keep neighbors safe and prevent potential damaged to infrastructure.

People living in the Gateway community of Lee County are concerned after around 50 oak trees were cut down. Bicyclists say what was once a barrier keeping cars from hitting them is now gone.

But Gateway Services Community Development District says the roots from the oak trees were damaging parts of the sidewalk and threatening a sewer line that runs underneath. There was also concern the roots would begin damaging the roadway.

“It blocks the shade and everything, especially if you’re going up and down this road. It gets hot,” Alex Kilpatrick said.

The district says it has no plans of cutting down anymore than what’s already gone.

“I don’t think they have a choice,” Judy Hannon said. “They probably have to cut the trees down because of the roots system.”

The district says repairs to the sidewalks alone are approaching $100,000 in costs.

“I talked to a lot of people, and they’re thinking of moving already,” Mike Sember said. “Because that was the main reason they came down here. They don’t know how far it’s going to go with it.”

“Those trees, if a car’s coming towards you, they might hit the tree before they hit you on the sidewalk,” Kilpatrick said.

We asked the district if the trees could have been uprooted and transported to another location. Gateway said, because the root systems are so close to the utilities underground, there was no way to do so safely.

“I kind of wish the trees were still here, that they figured a different way out,” Kilpatrick said.

“If they’re doing damage, I can see,” Sember said. “As long as they replace them with something else.”

The district says the cost of removing the trees now is much less than fixing the damages from the root systems moving forward.

Gateway is holding a meeting Thursday where the district will discuss options moving forward. That includes the option of planting different kinds of trees along this route.

MORE:

• Gateway Board of Supervisors Meeting & Workshop, March 25, 3:00 PM
• Gateway Services Community Development District website