#23095663

Large street tree (appears to be an oak) in the planter strip at 1042 Oakland Ave. Its roots are lifting and breaking the sidewalk and street, which were replaced only a few years ago: • Sidewalk: panel raised 2–3 inches above the adjacent driveway (see tape-measure photo), well above the ½-inch level usually treated as a trip hazard. This is a hazard for pedestrians, strollers and wheelchairs. An animal has burrowed under the slab, leaving a void beneath it. • Driveway apron: heaved and cracked; vehicles scrape when entering the driveway. • Street: asphalt along the curb is cracked and pushed up in a ridge beside the tree. No other driveway on the block is damaged this badly, and it is becoming unsafe. Request: please have the City Arborist inspect the tree and the damaged pavement. The tree has grown quite large, so fixing the pavement would likely mean cutting major roots, which could weaken or destabilize the tree. We ask the City to consider removing it and planting a species better suited to a narrow planter strip, then repairing the sidewalk, apron and street.