Augusta commissioners look at hiring arborist for tress downtown

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – If you have been to downtown Augusta lately, you may have noticed that trees have been cut down.

At Tuesday’s commission meeting, commissioners talked about hiring an arborist to help decide on the removal of trees in the county.

Commissioner Catherine Rice says she brought up this issue years ago and has received complaints about the trees down on Broad Street.

The Director of Engineering, Dr. Malik, says there are arborists in his department on call, and they are not on city contract.

Neighbors say they hope to see improvement in the area.

“The thing I was noticing is that it just doesn’t look very appealing or not much incentive,” said Victor Ishizaki, a neighbor. “It just doesn’t look appealing, you know it looks a little trashy in a sense, even with the sidewalks still some of them looking at just the concrete lifted in areas because of the root movement.”

Another neighbor tells us, she is looking forward to what the next steps will bring.

“There’s no more shade, it looks kind of disheveled to be honest, we’re hoping for them to come back soon,” said Rose Baxeley, a neighbor. “It’s sad to see the trees go, but I’m happy to know there is improvement coming, so just excited for what’s to come.”

The commissioners say they are moving this discussion to the next committee.

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