Trees ailing at county courthouse

The Sweetwater County Commissioners voiced opposition to cutting down trees in front of the county courthouse.

Last week, Karen Bailey, head of custodial services for the county, said the evergreen trees are in bad shape and may need to be pulled out. The trees, located at the front and North 1st West side of the courthouse, have been cut to resemble bonsai.

While Bailey admits immediate action isn’t needed, she said nothing will be left of the bonsai if they continue trimming. She also said the heavy snows the county experienced also damaged the trees, breaking their branches.

Bailey said trimming the trees is a necessity to keep them from encroaching on the nearby sidewalk.

She said the trees still look great, but likely could only sustain another year of trimming before they have to remove them.

The trees are part of the original building construction and were trimmed to resemble bonsai approximately 15 years ago.

“I’ve always said it should be a capital crime to cut down a tree here in Sweetwater County – and these are pretty close,” Commissioner Wally Johnson said.

Johnson believes the trees shouldn’t be removed without a plan to replace them, a sentiment other commissioners shared.

Commissioner Randy Wendling said he’s reluctant to move forward too fast, believing the trees should be nursed along. 

Commissioner John Kolb suggested removing every other tree, planning a new look for the area. He also said he was aware of a coating used on the courthouse building to make it shine, noting the building has lost its luster over the years. Bailey said she’s had discussions about reapplying the coating, saying the maintenance department doesn’t believe it would be a large expense to the county.

However, regarding the trees, the commissioners are aware of the permanent impact it would have to the building grounds.

“Once they’re cut, you can’t take them back,” Commissioner Reid West said.