Despite Protest From Residents, 100-Year-Old Pine Tree In Wisconsin Town Is Felled

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation cut down a 100-year old pine tree in the western Wisconsin city of Whitehall Friday that residents say had irreplaceable value in the community.

Residents of Whitehall gathered at the intersection of Highway 53 and the railroad tracks as state workers cut down the pine, which had served as the town’s annual Christmas tree. After planning began for a highway resurfacing project, officials determined last Fall that the large tree blocked the line of sight for motorists crossing the intersection. But Mary Richter, chair of the Save Our Tree Task Force said residents did not feel removing the beloved town landmark was necessary.

“We wouldn’t have been fighting so hard if we thought it was a safety thing,” she said. “The tree was trimmed up high enough you could see under the tree.”

The DOT plans to put in new lights and traffic arms at the intersection in the coming year, but Project Development Supervisor Tim Mason said these precautions are not enough.

“With a mechanical device, what happens if that device fails? We just want to make sure, if possible, for people to see what’s coming,” Mason said.

Mason said additional safety precautions are necessary because the railroad plans to increase their speed from 25 mph to 40 mph in that stretch of track. However, some residents said they feel the trains’ increased speed is more of a safety concern than the historic pine.

“If the cars are going 25, the train as far as we’re concerned shouldn’t go more than 25,” said Linda Schroeder, a member of the Save Our Tree Task Force.

Richter said the Save Our Tree Task Force petitioned two different reviews of the decision, but the Commissioner of Railroads supported the original decision.

“It was worthwhile for us to do all this, you know, just because we respected it and loved our tree and the history of it,” Richter said.

Randy Mell, UW-Extension Natural Resource Educator, appraised the tree’s value at over $146,000 based on its health and cultural value.

“It’s really the only tree in the downtown area,” Mell said. “So I kind of felt that it that it was really needed there.”

Richter said the task force hopes to turn pieces of the tree’s trunk and branches into a park bench or other memorial for the town.

The pine was originally transplanted in 1928.