"The Magic City" Now You See Them... Now You Don't
Trees are being removed at an alarming rate throughout the City of Miami. Coconut
Grove residents are watching trees removed at a reported rate of as high as 14 per
week. On Biscayne Boulevard, strips of the boulevard flanked with royal palms in the
morning were stripped clear in time for the afternoon commute.
Combined with major construction, traffic jams, road closures and commuter detours,
many do not realize that the boulevard's landmark palm-lined landscape is missing -
with no intention of being restored. Current City Ordinance 11000 requires royal palms
on Biscayne Boulevard.
Trees are being removed at an alarming rate throughout the City of Miami. Coconut
Grove residents are watching trees removed at a reported rate of as high as 14 per
week. On Biscayne Boulevard, strips of the boulevard flanked with royal palms in the
morning were stripped clear in time for the afternoon commute.
Combined with major construction, traffic jams, road closures and commuter detours,
many do not realize that the boulevard's landmark palm-lined landscape is missing -
with no intention of being restored. Current City Ordinance 11000 requires royal palms
on Biscayne Boulevard.
As seen on the 1/28/06 Telemundo 51 News, members of the Upper Eastside Miami
Council reported that the boulevard's decades-old palms had to be removed to make
way for installation of drainage pipes and use of heavy equipment. A visit to Biscayne
Boulevard a few weeks later told a different story: the drainage system was installed
down the middle of the boulevard.
Trees elsewhere on Biscayne Boulevard left in place
Council reported that the boulevard's decades-old palms had to be removed to make
way for installation of drainage pipes and use of heavy equipment. A visit to Biscayne
Boulevard a few weeks later told a different story: the drainage system was installed
down the middle of the boulevard.
Trees elsewhere on Biscayne Boulevard left in place
FINAL BOW These beautiful, healthy royals are no more. Ten were
reportedly removed in one hour; snapped out like twigs.
reportedly removed in one hour; snapped out like twigs.
AFTER: Ground Was Never Broken
The drainage system was installed down the middle of Biscayne
Boulevard. A sidewalk has since been poured.
The drainage system was installed down the middle of Biscayne
Boulevard. A sidewalk has since been poured.
BEFORE: NE 64th Street & Biscayne Boulevard
These royals were removed for placement of a drainage system?
That seemed unfortunate but logical...
These royals were removed for placement of a drainage system?
That seemed unfortunate but logical...
BEFORE: NE 59th Street & Biscayne Boulevard
These royals were removed for placement of a drainage system.
That seemed unfortunate but logical...
These royals were removed for placement of a drainage system.
That seemed unfortunate but logical...
The drainage system was installed down the middle of Biscayne
Boulevard. Ground was never broken (see roots still in place)
Boulevard. Ground was never broken (see roots still in place)
BEFORE: NE 50th Terrace & Biscayne
Many of these royals were reportedly ripped out of the ground -
not the best practice for transplanting. (see picture at right)
Many of these royals were reportedly ripped out of the ground -
not the best practice for transplanting. (see picture at right)
AFTER: Weeks Later
The drainage system was installed down the middle of Biscayne
The drainage system was installed down the middle of Biscayne
AFTER: Results of a towering tree torn out by its roots
As is evident along the boulevard: from Publix North to NE 50th
Terrace, roots are still stuck in the ground, concrete is broken.
As is evident along the boulevard: from Publix North to NE 50th
Terrace, roots are still stuck in the ground, concrete is broken.
BEFORE: NE 4900 Block, Biscayne Boulevard
Many of these royals were reportedly ripped out of the ground -
not the best practice for transplanting. (see picture at right)
Many of these royals were reportedly ripped out of the ground -
not the best practice for transplanting. (see picture at right)
BEFORE: 4870 Biscayne Boulevard
"Shade Canopy" is what Miami is missing according to the
results of a 1996 report. Mayor Diaz is on a "canopy campaign"
hoping to strengthen our tree canopy. (New York Times, 1/22/06)
"Shade Canopy" is what Miami is missing according to the
results of a 1996 report. Mayor Diaz is on a "canopy campaign"
hoping to strengthen our tree canopy. (New York Times, 1/22/06)
AFTER: Tear Down to Replant a sapling?
Not even old growth shade trees are safe in Miami. These trees
were hacked down. As of 7/06/06, all that remains of these
old-growth shade trees are these pathetic stumps.
Not even old growth shade trees are safe in Miami. These trees
were hacked down. As of 7/06/06, all that remains of these
old-growth shade trees are these pathetic stumps.
"It's not about palms versus shade, it's about preserving
South Florida's rich history and sub-tropical landscape"
South Florida's rich history and sub-tropical landscape"
SavePalms
working to save the boulevard palms
working to save the boulevard palms