ALPENA — Beginning Monday, City of Alpena Department of Public Works (DPW) staff will begin the collection of brush from the ice storm, according to a City of Alpena press release on Friday.

City officials remind residents that all brush should be stacked with the cut end facing the street. Property owners should ensure that the ends of the branches are not sticking out into the roadway.

Residents are also reminded that this collection is for storm damage only. Additional spring trimmings should not be included, as the standard brush collection in late May and June are still planned for this year.

“Please be patient as the cleanup process will be completed over the next several weeks,” the release stated. “We are targeting May 1 as a finish date, but will publish additional information as it becomes available.”

Residents who have further questions or concerns can call the DPW service line at 989-354-1780. “Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and understanding as we clean up our community,” city officials stated.

TREE REMOVAL

Today, the large Table Mountain Pine tree in front of City Hall will be removed, according to the release. Equipment may be parked along First Avenue and Park Place for this removal, but should not impede traffic flow. If streets need to be closed for safety, barricades will be present to direct traffic.

The release stated that during the recent tree inventory, this tree was cited as “poor architecture will likely lead to increasing failure over time.” The overall condition was rated “poor.” The arborist believed that any additional maintenance would not improve its condition. The risk rating was “moderate” and the consequence if the tree fails, was labeled as “significant.”

The maintenance recommendation was to remove the tree, according to the release. This tree has lost numerous limbs over the last few years and lost several more, including a large one, during the recent ice storm. The city ordinance dictates that infected, infested, dangerous, destructive, dead, or dying trees shall be removed from public properties.

“This tree has been deemed dying, dangerous, and possibly destructive and is no longer safe to remain on public property,” the release stated. “Since the tree inventory was completed before the storm, the consultant will be returning to the area to evaluate and update the tree database after the cleanup is complete.”