Augusta cuts dozens of trees on Broad Street, raising maintenance questions

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta has removed dozens of trees along Broad Street as engineers work to repair aging infrastructure. The city plans to replant, but questions remain about long-term maintenance.

Long-term neglect can lead to mold and rot and become a public safety threat, according to the city’s engineering director, who warned leaders about the issue before Hurricane Helene.

Historic trees at risk

In Augusta, one of Georgia’s oldest crape myrtles stands as a reminder of the city’s history. The southern crape myrtle was planted by the Spanish as far back as 1717, according to Sterling Mantlow, who specializes in ethical land management.

Mantlow pointed to signs of neglect on the historic tree, including brown growth, dead branches and lightning marks.

Without regular maintenance, the historic water oaks in Old Towne risk the same fate as the trees that once lined Broad Street.

Infrastructure damage revealed

Roots have strangled power meters and choked water lines, causing infrastructure damage that was invisible until construction workers cracked open Broad Street.

The excavation revealed layers of Augusta’s history, including brick that covered Broad Street more than 120 years ago. The layers show wood pipes, clay pipes and lead pipes from the 1960s.

Mantlow said the city has maintained and patched over time but never started fresh with all construction at once.

City requested funds for tree management

In 2022, the engineering director sent a request to city leaders for a SPLOST 8 project seeking $4 million for tree management and removal.

He wrote that the city has numerous unhealthy trees along its roadways that present significant hazard to the general public. He said removal, pruning and replacement would enhance public safety.

The request was made before Hurricane Helene hit. City leaders gave him $1 million for the project, a quarter of the funds he requested for tree maintenance.

Mantlow said if the city does not maintain new trees, the results will be known quickly.

Tree commission seats vacant

Augusta has a tree commission with 10 members appointed by commissioners plus two additional members appointed by the county’s legislative delegation. Currently, five of the seats are vacant.