[chuckinca]

The live oak in our backyard went from 6' high, 2" diameter trunk to 30' high, 16" diameter trunk with a 30' diameter limb spread in 10 years. Nearly that size in 7 years.

Not exactly slow growth.

.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

...I believe the tress in questions were in a protected area. This is hardly the same thing as clearing a non-protected area for houses.

It's all about the permitting. No tree above a minimum size (and not a junk species) can be removed without a permit whether it's in a protected area or not. Protected areas just have more specific restrictions on what can or cannot be done.

Even large scale 'clearing' of trees for houses, etc. has been permitted if the construction is being done legally. And usually there is compensation for the cleared trees...oftentimes trees planted in another nearby area...included as part of the permit.

[tuccillo]

I had one (a newly planted tree) double it's trunk diameter in 10 years. Regardless, they are classified as slow growers. "Slow" is relative to other trees. Look it up.

Originally Posted by chuckinca

The live oak in our backyard went from 6' high, 2" diameter trunk to 30' high, 16" diameter trunk with a 30' diameter limb spread in 10 years. Nearly that size in 7 years.

Not exactly slow growth.

.

[tuccillo]

Good observation. The important point is trees were cut down in an area where a permit would not have been issued.

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

It's all about the permitting. No tree above a minimum size (and not a junk species) can be removed without a permit whether it's in a protected area or not. Protected areas just have more specific restrictions on what can or cannot be done.

Even large scale 'clearing' of trees for houses, etc. has been permitted if the construction is being done legally. And usually there is compensation for the cleared trees...oftentimes trees planted in another nearby area...included as part of the permit.

[PennBF]

Conscience and fear of jail causes a lot of people to get religion and confess to their crimes.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

I had one (a newly planted tree) double it's trunk diameter in 10 years. Regardless, they are classified as slow growers. "Slow" is relative to other trees. Look it up.

Growth Habits

Young live oak trees grow quickly, putting on as much as 3 feet of new growth and 1 inch of trunk diameter every year. In most areas of the country, live oak trees keep their leaves year-round, although they may drop their leaves in the most northern areas of their range. Older live oak trees often harbor epiphytic plants such as mistletoe or Spanish moss. Live oak trees can live over 100 years.

Read more: Live Oak Tree Facts | Garden Guides

Live Oak Tree Facts | Garden Guides

.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

...they are classified as slow growers. "Slow" is relative to other trees...

Actually southern live oaks grow quickly in their younger years. They live so long that this 'younger' phase is a very long time...heheh. It's later on that their growth slows.

Read the "Typical Lifespan" paragraph here...

https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlif...-Live-Oak.aspx

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but the person or persons responsible for the tree cutting may never be known. It has been well documented here and elsewhere that the district has offered "confidentiality" and "forgiveness" by not prosecuting if the district was reimbursed. It appears this has happened by the Friends of Lake Minoa. I'd be willing to bet as far as the district is concerned this is a closed matter.

Also, I seriously doubt if the postings on this website or the POA had any influence in the Friends of Lake Minoa making the payment. "Most" of the residents in The Villages probably do not even know about this site or if they do, do not log on. The POA had one article in the June news letter and two "letter to the editiors" in the July issue. This was it for 2015. I don't see this a "alot of pressure".

It was more likely the law enforcemnt end of the equation. They knew who was responsible and although may have not had enough evidence to file charges, they had enough to compel paymnet. It is call negotiations!

Someone mentioned if I do not like this topic, I should quit reading. I continue reading becasue I want to be informed on this topic and others posted on this site. I am just amazed how vindictive we are here in The Villages, especially if you do not agree.

I think I am glad that most of the wonderful residents do not read and post on this site. I would move if this was the case.... (ha! beat you to it!)

Dear Don't Rain On My Parade:

So you don't mind that a resident(s) took it upon his/her/them selves to cut a clearing in a protected area and then left fellow residents holding the bag. and that it took much pressure and publicity to shame/pressure said resident(S) into striking the best deal?

I have lived here for 9 years and I'll dare you to cut, trim remove any tree that The Villages planted and see who comes knocking at your door

Friend at Lake Minoa now only cut down a tree but more than one in a protected area no less just because of conceit.....i want a clearing.

My parents taught me not to damage other people's property i.e respect other people's property.

and so the Friends at.... rained on our parade.

Personal Best Regards:

[tuccillo]

Live oak (Quercus spp.) is not generally known as a fast-growing species. For instance, the canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) may grow 24 inches per year, and interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni) may grow 12 to 24 Inches per year. This relatively slow growth rate ensures the oak’s wood is dense enough to support the tall-growing, long-living species; many live oaks grow to be 65 feet tall and can live more than 150 years. If want to quicken your live oak's growth rate, provide it optimal growing conditions. Canyon live oak is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Coast live oak is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 10, and interior live oak is hardy in USDA zone 8.

My point is 10 years (as suggested by someone) is not going to give a large live oak. 100 years will.

Originally Posted by chuckinca

Growth Habits

Young live oak trees grow quickly, putting on as much as 3 feet of new growth and 1 inch of trunk diameter every year. In most areas of the country, live oak trees keep their leaves year-round, although they may drop their leaves in the most northern areas of their range. Older live oak trees often harbor epiphytic plants such as mistletoe or Spanish moss. Live oak trees can live over 100 years.

Read more: Live Oak Tree Facts | Garden Guides

Live Oak Tree Facts | Garden Guides

.

[outlaw]

Cutting these trees down was not illegal. I prefer to look at it as an undocumented act.

[dave harris]

rank has privilege

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by dave harris

rank has privilege

WHO has rank in this mess? Are you being snarky about folks who live in Premier homes? That would be ignorant AND uncaring. There are lots of people who live in all kinds of homes all over this country who do damn awful stuff. AND get away with it. AND we all pay. We pay for tattoos and cell phones of people who deal drugs and don't report their income or pay for the support of their children...For starters.

The folks who selfishly and arrogantly went onto public property and cleared their view are wrong, but all the folks who live in that area are not complicit. There are many wonderful people who live there who had nothing to do with it and are mad and feel awful, I am sure. I don't think for a minute they had anything to do with it, most of them, or covered it up. I imagine they are all pretty sure WHO did it, because they have been at gatherings with folks who always act like their fannies weigh a ton.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

QUOTE=Challenger;1095359]Hmmmm- Total costs suffered by districts= +or- $100,000

Reimbursement from "someone" $25,000.

Apparantely someone has a smidgen of remorse or wants us to shut up.[/QUOTE]

Where does that $100,000 figure some from? How did it cost the districts anything because a few trees were cut down?

[NavyNJ]

Originally Posted by dave harris

rank has privilege

Although that may be true (RHIP).....most forget the second half of that saying, which is just as, if not more, important......Rank Has Its Responsibilities!! And I'm not saying that either of these sayings applies to this situation at all.....just that the complete saying has 2 parts. Cheers!

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

WHO has rank in this mess? Are you being snarky about folks who live in Premier homes? That would be ignorant AND uncaring. There are lots of people who live in all kinds of homes all over this country who do damn awful stuff. AND get away with it. AND we all pay. We pay for tattoos and cell phones of people who deal drugs and don't report their income or pay for the support of their children...For starters.

The folks who selfishly and arrogantly went onto public property and cleared their view are wrong, but all the folks who live in that area are not complicit. There are many wonderful people who live there who had nothing to do with it and are mad and feel awful, I am sure. I don't think for a minute they had anything to do with it, most of them, or covered it up. I imagine they are all pretty sure WHO did it, because they have been at gatherings with folks who always act like their fannies weigh a ton.

Nice post Gracie....