Work to preserve ‘tunnel of trees’ continues

RED BAY — Efforts to preserve the city’s “tunnel of trees” continues with aging trees being pruned and replacement trees planted along portions of Fourth and Fifth avenues.

Mayor Mike Shewbart said visitors and longtime residents often associate the city with the tree-lined corridors.

“The trees have long been part of Red Bay, and visitors tell stories about themandhowtheyremember them,” Shewbart said.

Tracie Clark, vice president of the Red Bay Garden Club and a member of the Red Bay Tree Commission, said the canopy has become one of the city’s most recognizable features.

“They call it the ‘tunnel of trees,’” Clark said. “It’s such a beautiful entrance to Red Bay.”

Shewbart said crews have worked to preserve aging trees throughout the corridor in recent years. He said the city has not been able to save every tree.

“We have seen some trees require treatment for disease,” Shewbart said.

Clark said garden club members originally planted many of the trees during the 1930s and 1940s. She said descendants of some of the women involved in the original planting efforts are now members of the club.

Scotty Kennedy, who serves on the tree commission and is a member of the garden club, said Shewbart provided workers to assist with cleanup while Kade James and his crew handled much of the pruning work.

“These trees are a treasure to us,” Kennedy said.

Clark said the tree commission members help make decisions about tree removal, pruning and maintenance throughout the city.

Shesaidgardencluband tree commission members have planted trees near the Hoyt Keeton Walking Trail. Additional planting projects are planned.

Clark said the city is planting Shumard oak trees as replacements along portions of Fourth Avenue.

“We plan to keep on doing that all the way to the state line,” she said.