No weeping as city plants new willow
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Two weeks after the city cut down a willow tree near the carousel in Congress Park, a new willow tree now stands feet from the still present stump.
On Wednesday afternoon, the city’s Department of Public Works employees inserted the tree that’s a few years old in front of preschoolers from Pre-K in the Park, located on Broadway.
The children, who had been fascinated with the large willow tree they named “mother tree” that used to stand nearby, were told by Commissioner of Public Works Anthony “Skip” Scirocco why that old tree had to be removed.
Officials previously said that despite the concerns raised by some residents, the city had to remove the willow tree because of its hazardous nature. A gaping hole appeared in the middle of it, and officials were worried it would fall over.
Children helped workers Wednesday by placing dirt in the hole before hearing their teacher, Heather Stewart read “The Giving Tree.”
Before the old tree came down two weeks ago, the children, with their parents, visited Congress Park to say one final good-bye.
In the near future, Scirocco said, the children will select a name for the new tree. The children discussed a variety of possible names Wednesday, including Ella and Chocolate. Once they settle on a name, a small sign featuring the name will appear next to new tree.