If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? This philosophical question asks if something unobserved can exist. The answer, of course, is, of course. Or maybe not. Case in point: A tree in the densely packed Jefferson-Westside neighborhood was summarily chopped down and carted off last week. It was a tall majestic conifer which for decades offered shade for people, perching and nesting opportunities for birds, food for small critters, and heat reduction and carbon sequestration for us all as we suffer the ravages of global warming and climate change.
The remnant wood slabs stacked on a trailer showed no evidence of disease. Cutting down established healthy neighborhood trees is contrary to our scientific understanding of their myriad benefits in urban spaces as well as the environment at large. Yet the Eugene code allows private property owners to remove trees at their discretion from developed lots smaller than 20,000 square feet, almost a half acre. Tree removal from these lots is exempt from a tree removal permit and does not require any other authorization from the city of Eugene.
Unobserved by the city, this stalwart tree evidently cannot exist. Let’s ask our city councilors to re-examine tree removal regulations in light of evolving science and diminishing lot sizes. Green Eugene is a beautiful thing. The beneficial trees that define our city should be color-coded for protection.
Benton Elliott
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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