There's something missing in Roanoke's Elmwood Park. A 100-year-old elm that stood along Jefferson Street came down Thursday.
The city had been treating the tree for a couple of years, but wood borers finally killed the stately elm.
City crews removed the tree because of concerns the limbs were becoming brittle and might fall on the sidewalk below.
“We actually had samples taken and sent off to Virginia Tech, and a couple of other different places to determine what the real problem was," said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Buschor, "and it was determined it was wood borers,” he said. “And we have since that time treated all of the other trees along this stretch of corridor so that they would not fall victim to the same type of disease.”
Once crews finish removing the tree and grinding the stump, the city plans to plant another elm in its place.
