Havensight Mahoganies Chopped Down Over Weekend

Five mahogany trees lining Havensight Mall entrances were finally cut down last week after weeks of phone calls and demonstrations pleading with the Department of Public Works to save them.

Stumps and left-over debris littered the construction zone as vibrant red-brown trunks and branches still adorned with green leaves lay in pieces on the ground Monday.

The trees, originally thought to be diseased, were finally admittedly not to be ill, but rather in the way of a road-expansion project that Public Works predicts will improve traffic flow on Frenchman’s Bay Road.

“This is a critical project for the territory,” noted Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls.

Smalls said that no more trees in the Havensight area are scheduled to be removed, and that the department will begin planting new trees to replace the mahoganies as part of a landscaping project.

Similar to the Long Bay Road project, the mahogany trees will be replaced with palms.

According to Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone, in the original plans, an additional one to two trees were scheduled to be removed, but after public outcry, efforts were made to save as many trees as possible.

Malone noted that Smalls assisted in trying to save more trees, thus the original number to be cut was reduced to approximately three to five in hopes that some could be saved.

Malone said that the original surveyor was “let go” because he incorrectly marked nearly a dozen trees for removal. After observations from residents who did not understand why a majority of the trees were slated for death, Public Works quickly remedied the act by firing the surveyor.

However, bright orange X marks continue to mark healthy trees. Smalls noted that the blemishes will likely remain on the bark until weather washes them away.

Smalls also responded to rumors that some of the mahogany wood was stolen. He stated that “allegations have been brought forth” and Public Works will turn the investigation over to the authorities.

He explained that there are only two drop sites for the wood, one for debris and one for wood that can be used, and the missing wood has not yet been found at either site.

The 18-month road expansion is currently in phase three of a project designed to ease the flow of traffic around the popular cruise ship dock. Landscaping will be completed during phase four, where Smalls said different types of palm trees and other shrubbery will be planted to replace the mahogany trees.

“This is definitely not a one-for-one replacement. It’s far more than one-for-one,” said Smalls.

Smalls compared the project to the work done in front of Yacht Haven Grande, referring to the number of trees removed, stating that for every one removed, three were planted in its place.