Gaithersburg Has a Growing Problem

Whoever planted the trees along Quince Orchard Boulevard, they probably weren't thinking fourty years into the future.

But if they had, they might have forseen some of the problems the neighborhood is facing now: bulging curbs and sidewalks, obscured street lights, outgrown planting spaces and the danger of falling limbs.

But the problems aren't isolated to Quince Orchard Boulevard. As trees all throughout Gaithersburg grow and mature, similar problems are blossoming in neighborhoods old and new.

"I'd say we've seen more requests in general, just because trees grow," said Adam Newhart, the city's horticulturalist.

Public Works director Jim Arnoult agreed, saying the increase in requests for trimming is a natural result of the aging and maturing trees.

But Gaithersburg prides itself on being a "tree city," and even has an arbor as part of its logo.

So earlier this year, City Manager Angel Jones decided to begin the process of formalizing the city's policy on removal and maintenance. 

Previously, there was not a written policy, Arnoult said.

At the Mayor and City Council's work session on Oct. 24, Arnoult and Newhart, along with Wally DeBord from the Public Works department, presented the council with a draft version of the policy.

While the council was generally favorable toward the document, Councilwoman Cathy Drzyzguyla pointed out a number of wording irregularities.

DeBord noted that they would be fixed.

Drzyzgula also expressed concern that the policy only talks about how the city deals with problems, and should also include guidelines on how to prevent future issues.

Jones agreed.

"This is kind of a start, and there will be many more of these discussions," she said. "The good news is we are looking at this proactively."