In the shadow of Earth Day, the Town of Oyster Bay is cutting down a dozen or so of the grandest, tallest trees now beautifully lining the streets of Massapequa near Our Lady of Lourdes Church, affecting SD22 homes and families on Violet Street and north to Lourae Drive.

This lumber jacking allows a roads-improvement program to replace broken curbs and make other necessary road repairs. Some residents are concerned about losing the tree-lined feel of the suburbs, but only trees that are over-growing the curb or otherwise a hazard or impeding curb replacement will be removed during this TOB road improvement project, says one Highway Department spokesman.

The Town recognizes its need to keep the suburban comfort of shaded sidewalks, despite any roadwork. Residents whose curbside trees are removed can ask the Town to replace each lost tree. Homeowners affected by tree-loss will be given a form to apply for replacements. The new trees should appear during the town's next planting season.

Residents with questions can call the number printed on Highway Department signs posted throughout the neighborhood at 677-5741.

Howard Gold