Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Unorthodox Tree Trimming on South Michigan

A reader writes:
I was walking with my daughter to Ma & I for dinner today and saw a man walking along the sidewalk in front of the new pastry shop that's opening (Karamela) with a saw in his hand. I thought it was strange, but it became even stranger when I saw him right outside the window at Ma & I cutting down branches from the small trees that are growing along the west side of the 1200 block of Michigan!

I was preparing to call 611 when shortly thereafter I saw a police car park across the street, and a couple of policemen walking in the direction of Karamela. He was cutting branches that were pretty thick in diameter, and cut several branches off of most of the trees along the west side of the 1200 block. As we were walking home, there were discarded branches piled up beneath each of the trees. I just couldn't believe it!!

If I can confirm that that was indeed the owner of Karamela who was cutting down public property without permission, I will NOT be supporting that establishment, and I hope he's fined heavily.

(Hat tip: PS!)

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Was he wearing a city vest ? If not it is illegal for anyone to trim a city tree,other than forestry .

Anonymous said...

It seems pretty reckless to post something like this without the full story.

Anonymous said...

That's crazy.

Anonymous said...

WHO.CARES.

Is this tree something that youre emotionally attached too? Did u personally water and feed this tree?

he probably needs to trim it so you can see his place from the street...let it go and stop being such a liberal prude

Lily said...

some people need a hobby really bad

Anonymous said...

cutting large branches off of a young tree could be fatal to the tree...

to add to this topic, the trees along State Street need replacement as they appear to be infected with the ash borer... please ask the alderman to replace the trees, I have many times.

Broomy said...

Not good to run a new business's name through the mud with zero facts or backstory.

Jimmy said...

This story is obsurd. Is it even a story? Seems like the writer has something against Karamela before it is even open. To assume that it was the owner is pathetic. Maybe it was a individual who worked for the building or a city worked. I highly doubt an individual from a new establishment would do that to his neighbors. BAD STORY. BAD WRITER.

Get real people said...

Who in their right mind would trim a few trees to allow visibility of their new business??? To even think of putting a business ahead of a few branches is just shocking. You must be kidding how did this assumptio not even a story get posted. Its disturbing the way some people think. Support your local businesses! Think may have nothing to do with the Karamela and you people are already bringing negativity to a business that hasnt even opened. What a shock. Bet nobody would be complaining if they stuck a chipotle right in the middle of grant park.

FitGuy said...

@GetRealPeople

great post!

Unknown said...

Haha! I saw this guy last night, too. I had to laugh. I, too, was wondering what the full story was. He certainly was not wearing a city vest . . .

Anonymous said...

First of all, the poster did say that 'IF I CAN CONFIRM THAT THIS IS REALLY THE OWNER' ...

Second, I completely agree.

Trimming down trees to have some more visibility for a store *is* a serious issue.

Again, IF THAT WAS REALLY THE OWNER, then he will not get any of my business.

What if he decides he needs some more sunlight in the morning, and starts poisoning the tree or cutting it down?

What if he doesn't like on 'his' sidewalk? Is it OK to hurt them as well?

It's not just about the trees. It is about the utter lack of respect that this person (be it the owner or not) has for the rules and regulations.

Anonymous said...

I hope none of you that are making such a big deal about this use paper, because you know to get it you much cut down trees. This is the problem with society they only focus on isolated issues. For example the Trayvon case, there have been over 60 kids shot since the and maybe 10% of them make the local news. Focus on the big picture and not isolated cases for change. Finally its not like he was cutting down the whole tree either.

Anonymous said...

The inhumanity!!!!!????? Cutting of tree branches. Those poor poor tree branches.

First world problems?

Anonymous said...

"I hope none of you that are making such a big deal about this use paper, because you know to get it you much cut down trees."

Trees are farmed for that purpose. How is this relevant in a post about vandalizing public property?

If there is even any truth to this story... Next time op needs to take some pics before talking crap about a new business. Sad.

Anonymous said...

Again, irresponsible post by sloopin. Why in the world would the owner of the new business deface public property. Are you an idiot? Or is Sloopy an idiot. This is the last post I'll be reading on this dumb site.

Get Real People said...

The tree has priority over a business that will create jobs and cash flow in the area...wow some of you need a reality check.

steven said...

some real dumba$$ posts here by the same idiot anons that waste everyones time, over and over and over...ugh

Anonymous said...

I saw this guy. I am pretty certain he was not a city employee, but I am also 100% certain I wouldnt write a blog about it and refuse to frequent his business over it.. Had he called the city, it prob would have taken 2 months for them to get around to it.

Alex said...

Quick someone cue the Lorax! Some people should stop jumping to conclusions. This is commercial space and not a park. I do agree if one is going to cut a tree or parts of a tree they should follow proper protocol by contacting the city- however we don't know anything about the who what or why. If something like this is going to cause a huge uproar then life must be very boring.

Anonymous said...

I agree that there is no way this guy was a city employee since there was just one of him with no supervisors standing around. Plus, he was working too hard and fast to be a city employee.

This needs to be investigated as soon as possible since that one guy is taking away multiple, good paying union jobs in the city of Chicago. He may have been from China too. These situations are killing the working man here in America.

abgo said...

The first thing to be determined is whether the trees were pruned properly... If they were, kudos to the trimmer. If not, the trimmer should be identified and penalized. Running a successful business and respecting public property should not be mutually exclusive.

Anonymous said...

WHO CARES ABOUT TREES AND PRUNING

Anonymous said...

I walked by this evening and noted that every one of the trees on that block were pruned. The branches were probably hanging over the sidewalk thus posing a threat to walkers. Shame on you blackmarking Karmela's.

Anonymous said...

i agree, shame on those who bi**h and ruin a bizz

Anonymous said...

This post should be removed for ridiculously implying that a local business did something wrong. It is obvious from walking by that those trees were all pruned, by whom I have no idea, as indeed trees on the sidewalk should be pruned. They were hanging way too low for anyone taller than five feet and also should not obstruct the signage of local businesses. Now, the trees still have plenty of branches and leaves but are at a reasonable height for pedestrians and local businesses. I say "good job and thanks" to whoever pruned them.

Anonymous said...

you have no right to cut our trees back without getting the proper permits from the city! I pay taxes and those trees are as much mine as they are his. Im never going there and will bad mouth this place to everyone who brings this place up

Anonymous said...

Assuming a permit was even required, how do you know a permit was not obtained? The trees were pruned for the entire building, not just that single business. It seems reckless that the initial post singled out one business as having supposedly done something wrong, based solely on one nosey neighbor's assumption that the trees were not legally trimmed, when it is probably more likely that they were legitimately trimmed.

Anonymous said...

You know the right solution for this whole mess?... just cut down the trees. "Prune" them right at their base ground level then no more problems with the branches.

Problem solved.

It's ok to leave the tree stumps there as seating and/or places for dogs to do their business.

You're welcome!

Anonymous said...

Instead of encouraging new business in our neighborhood and showing support for opening businesses, you instead chose to bring forth your negative comments and discourage others from trying a new place. Come on people lets try and rally to make this a great living space for all of us by showing support for our local shop owners. If we dont support local business , who will?

Anonymous said...

What a horrible waste of 5 minutes of my life reading this post and all the comments. Really, what in the world does someone do all day that they are so concerned about a mystery person trimming some branches. The City of Chicago has a lot bigger issues to worry about than some g*dd*mn trees. It's honestly really sickening. Sloopin is getting a little Stoopid.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 3:13...I agree with supporting the local businesses in the south loop and I therefore, support this guy and his upstart tree pruning business~~!

Anonymous said...

After reading all the comments on this blog on this subject, I took a walk to Karamela site today. I was going to check out the place, but it not open as yet. Disappointed. Then I look at all the trees being pruned and the branches lying under trees. It is obvious that this not done by the city. The tree across the street were not touched. It was obvious that it was done by someone concerned about the visibility of businesses in front of this building. In my opinion, trimming was done just fine, it enhanced the visibility of businesses and it kept the trees reasonably in good looking shape. My thumbs up for the trimmer and I shall go and support this new place "Karamela" and check it out. If they have a good product and good value, I shall support it. Thank you. I am a resident of this neighborhood forc15 years.bjist abally

Anonymous said...

No kidding, did you read the previous posts? Many people including myself already pointed this out.

You could tell it wasn't city workers based on the quick speed and lack of standing supervisors. Also, I think it was cheap imported labor from overseas.

This is not right for union business and employment in the city of chicago.

Anonymous said...

@ Anon 8:13..Not right for union businesses and the city of Chicago? Union businesses are part of the problem with the city of Chicago. If a homeowner or business wants something done and relies on the city to complete the tast, they will be waiting a long time. Unions and their rules are part of the problem, not the solution. Just look at the problems using the required union labor at McCormick Center

Anonymous said...

Anon @10:07...I can't believe I am reading this from you.

You are blaming this situation on the unions? When the unions are strong America, the City of Chicago and S. Loop are strong. United we stand.

The unions could prune those trees better and would not leave the branches laying around to cause safety accidents and hazzards to the neighborhood.

This is not a difficult concept about the importance of the American workers and the support role of our unions. Please leave me your contact details so I can explain this better in person. It is important to appreciate our workers.


I can call you and explain this better.

Anonymous said...

i love unions and think they good for the city and the chicago sports teams