09/10/10 Byram Residents: Tree overhanging Western Junior Highway poses threat

The leaning tree of Western Junior Highway in Byram is a deadly threat to motorists, walkers and students at nearby Western Middle School, say a pair of Henry Street residents.

John Zmarzlak and Giulio Zarra say the oak tree near the roadway and at the corner of Western Middle School property should be cut down.

Zarra, 76, said the tree is starting to rot, and he stuck his right index finger into its base Friday afternoon to back up his contention.

"When this tree goes, it's going to create some major damage," Zmarzlak, 77, said. That damage would include a major power outage, he predicted.

The tree is about 40 inches in diameter, said Zmarzlak, who used a tape measure to make that determination. Zarra estimated the tree is about 50 feet tall.

Two branches hang over Western Junior Highway, spreading out to Henry Street on the other side of the roadway.

"It would be good if they took it out of here. It is awfully dangerous," Zarra said.

Bruce Spaman, the town's superintendent of trees, said the arbor is not considered a high-risk tree, although the Parks and Recreation Department is aware of it.

"It's a leaning tree; it's been leaning that way forever, but it is on our list," he said, referring to a record of trees the town has noted may pose a risk to people or structures.

About two years ago, the department conducted a tree survey and recorded about 450 trees on town property that were classified Priority 1, deemed the highest risk to fall.

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