To the editor:

It is with great sadness that we and the Bainbridge community say good-bye to the beautiful but very old plum trees in the Bainbridge Public Library’s wonderful Harui Japanese Garden. Arborists and other tree experts have agreed that the trees contain too much rot to be safe for the community. Too easily one or more could fall and injure a child or adult, hit a car, or in other ways damage something in the area.

The city of Bainbridge Island, after reviewing the facts, has issued the appropriate permits for tree removal. So, the trees will go in the middle of April.

The library has already obtained beautiful Venus Dogwoods as replacements. It is important to get them in the ground soon so that they can have this growing season to move toward maturity. These beautiful and rapid-growing trees will be covered with white flower-like bracts in spring, attractive red fruit in the fall, and the green leaves will turn a lovely red. We look forward to their new beauty in our garden.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bainbridge Public Library