City of Wilmington to remove several trees along Market St., work begins Monday

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Starting next week, a project to replace trees along a portion of one of Wilmington’s busiest streets will begin. 

WWAY got a closer look at details surrounding the project before work starts. Work to remove trees will begin on Monday, June 10, along Market St., primarily between 17th and 21st streets. 

This project is a part of Wilmington’s 2023 Urban Forest Master Plan. The city identified 18 diseased trees along Market St., and says it calls for immediate action. 

Sally Thigpen is the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation. She said in addition to removing diseased trees, the plan includes keeping a tree inventory ensuring proactive replacement of trees in active decline. 

“This is absolutely related to safety. We’re very challenged to maintain trees in the city of Wilmington from a resource perspective. So, we’re absolutely not going to do any work that doesn’t have to be done,” Thigpen said. “We have skilled, certified arborists on staff that are helping to make these decisions and these trees have structural defects that make them a hazard.”  

Dan Camacho is the Executive Director of Alliance for Cape Fear Trees. He said it’s his mission to advocate against the removal of trees. He said in this case, he’s siding with the City of Wilmington in their decision to cut these trees down due to the circumstances. 

“Reviewing those materials, we felt like the city had done their due diligence in terms of determining whether these trees really had to come out,” Camacho said. 

Wilmington Tree Commission Chair Tom Boland said for every tree removed another will be planted. Most of the trees being removed are Laurel Oaks. He said the replacements will be a better fit for the environment. Tree’s like Live Oaks are fit for job. 

“There are a couple live oaks behind us. If you take a look at the small tree over here, which was planted about 10-15 years ago, that’s a live oak. So, they’ve actually come in and planted trees that will help and support the future canopy of Wilmington,” Boland said. 

Street closures are planned to start at 9 a.m. on June 10 and at 7 a.m. on the following days. Detour routes will be in place.