HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-19 Tree removal helps environment (Hometown News)NORTH PALM; BEACH.
Tree removal helps
environment
Twenty-nine Australian
pines were recently
removed from Lakeside
Park in North Palm Beach.
"They're an invasive,
non-native tree," said
Mark Hodgkins, Village
parks and recreation
director.
Australian pines were
brought into the United
States in the 1800s, partly
to dry up swamps, accord-
ing to information on
www.exploreflorida.org.
In some places they
were used as wind barri-
ers, said Palm Beach
County's ° .environmental
program supervisor,
Matthew King.
Non-native plants, such
as the Australian pine,
cause problems because
they beat out natural vege-
tation and fundamentally
change the environment,
said Mr. King.
"For instance, the pines
interrupt the flow of
water," he said.
Native trees, such as
gumbo limbos, live oaks
and slash pines, will be
installed over the next
couple of weeks, said Mr.
Hodgkins.
The new trees were
obtained through a
$35,000 grant from Keep
Palm Beach County Beau-
tiful, he said.
Calling it a day
After 12 years serving of
on the North Palm Beach
Village Council, Council-
man
Charles O'Meilia
announced he will not run
for re-election in March at
the council meeting on
Jan. 11.
"I have a second great-
grandchild nowand I'm
going in a new direction,"
Mr. O'Meilia said.
"(He's) been an asset to
our Village, and (he) will
be missed," said Mayor
David Norris.
— Compiled by Sarah
Stover ���`��
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