Residents have been buzzing about an entire row of trees that has been cut down and removed on Buena Vista Boulevard near the Villages Polo Fields. The decision, made by Villages Property Management, was one of necessity.
Originally believed by several observers to be Live Oaks were, in fact, Bradford Pears.
Approximately 20 trees were disposed of and the plan is to replace them with healthy Magnolias and Crepe Myrtles, according to Sam Wartinbee, director of the Villages Property Management.
“The Bradford Pears were over 18 years old,” Wartinbee said. “They were diseased and quite a few had been hit by lightning. They are an ornamental tree.”
Bradford Pears, while attractive in the spring with white blossoms, are quite an eyesore the rest of the year. Bradford’s have very weak branches so, when a 40-mile per hour wind gust comes along, most of the smaller branches end up on the ground. It is virtually impossible for grass to grow under these trees and it is also considered to be an invasive species of tree with root systems that strangle anything that gets in its way. The white spring blossoms are quite deceiving as well. Their “aroma” has been compared to dead fish.
Wartinbee said a big improvement is coming.
“We are overhauling the whole landscape,” he said. “Planting the Magnolias and Crepe Myrtles is the first step and then some groundcover under those. It’s all part of our landscape renovation here in The Villages.”
