By Howard Koplowitz
Two Bellerose neighbors want to get rid of the Bradford pear trees the city provided for their property after recent close calls with fallen branches.
Mike Augugliaro of the Queens Colony Civic Association said a branch from his Bradford pear tree on his Commonwealth Boulevard home broke off, blocking an adjacent sidewalk.
Augugliaro said he called 311 after the Aug. 10 incident and was told inspectors for the city Parks Department would investigate within six to eight days and remove the branch within 45 days.
Not satisfied with that timeline, Augugliaro had his landscaper remove the branch Monday for $300.
“What am I going to do? Wait until somebody sues me because the tree is blocking the sidewalk?” he asked. “I know it usually takes a long time, but it’s blocking two sidewalks and it damaged my lawn.”
Parks could not be reached for comment.
Augugliaro said the branch was the fourth that has fallen off the city-planted trees on his property. He said one damaged a car years ago when it broke off.
“Every time you hear the forecast, you got to move your car because the chances are pretty good that you will lose another branch,” he said.
Steve Allen, Augugliaro’s neighbor, said a branch from his city-planted Bradford pear tree fell against his house two weeks ago and was hanging off the sidewalk.
Like Augugliaro, Allen said he called 311 because he could not get out his front door and his 91-year-old mother lives in the home. He said 311 transferred the call to 911, but did not send someone over to immediately remove the branch because it “wasn’t important enough.”
Allen said he also could not wait the six to eight days to have an inspector look at the situation and another 45 days to remove the branch, so he removed the branch himself.
“I could not get out my front door,” he said.
Allen said a Parks truck that happened to be driving down his block then put the branch on the vehicle and hauled it away.
Both Augugliaro and Allen said they want to rid themselves of the trees for fear they will cause injuries.
“I’d love for my tree to get out of there,” Allen said. “Someone’s going to get hurt from this tree. I’m afraid for someone.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
