Tree replacement plan approved
A plan to replace the trees around the clock tower square is in place as crews work on the tower in downtown Franklin.
Scaffolding was installed around the clock tower after the Macon County Commissioners gave approval on Jan. 14 to start. The timeline for completion of the clock tower work is 60 days while removing and replacing seven trees will take longer.
Carolina Builder Services of Franklin is renovating the clock tower, which has been in the square since 1984. The clock on the tower has the mechanisms from the original 1881 courthouse which was torn down in 1972 following the construction of the current courthouse.
Seven downtown trees, most around the clock tower square, are scheduled for removal as the roots have pushed up the brick sidewalk.
The actual tree removal date hasn’t been decided, but Interim County Manager Warren Cabe said it’ll be “early one morning” so as to not disrupt traffic.
“Our hope is to have everything wrapped up and complete by mid spring,” Cabe said.
The Town of Franklin, which manages the sidewalks, will take part in the tree removal process as well and has been working with the county and Franklin Garden Club, a nonprofit group that beautifies clock tower square, Rankin Square and other public lands in and near downtown. Both the town and county financially support the garden club, which volunteers their time each week for the work.
Paige Selking, president of the Franklin Garden Club, said the county told them in early January of the decision to move the trees. While the Franklin Garden Club did not initiate the tree removal, Selking said they’re excited to work with the town and county to enhance the beauty of clock tower square and Main Street.
“We knew that we would need to remove the oak tree this year as the roots have been pushing up the walkway for some time. The crape myrtle trees were a surprise to us, however,” Selking stated. “We were told that they have grown too tall and are a fire hazard to the buildings along that side of Main Street as the roofs are flat and covered with a flammable material.”
Selking explained that the trees along Main Street are not an area the garden club maintains, but they have seen the damage to the sidewalks.
“While we always hate to see trees removed, we recognize that sometimes it is necessary,” Selking said. “The safety of locals and visitors is important and, unfortunately, the trees have become a liability.”
The Franklin Garden Club is working with Greg Mullins of Winding Stair Farm and Nursery on a tree-replacement design, which got county and town approval on Feb. 6.
“We are hoping to have the new trees planted and the walkway repaired by the end of April,” Selking said. “We will be replacing the crape myrtle trees in the front section of the garden with native dogwood trees. We will include a plaque stating that the dogwood is North Carolina’s flower as well as part of the [Franklin Garden Club] logo.”
Selking said the oak tree is a major focal point in the gardens, so the club wanted to create a plan that would hopefully prevent roots from damaging the walkway.
On Feb. 10, Selking said she and members of the garden club’s executive committee had been to Winding Stair Nursery where they selected two dogwood trees, five Mrs. Cesarini spruce shrubs, and The Franklinia alatamaha (The Franklin Tree).
“I have also reached out to the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy at Cowee School to see if they would be interested in partnering with us when we unveil The Franklin Tree to celebrate the connection to the Bartrams and the Bartram Trail,” Selking said.