Kellogg tree mystery

A spokeswoman for Nassau County said in an email on Monday that trees outside the historic Kellogg House in Baldwin had to be cut because the branches were falling onto cars and were already dying.

“The Nassau County Police Department received concerns about falling tree limbs and branches which were causing damage to vehicles and endangering residents,” county spokeswoman Karen Contino said. “Nassau County sent a certified horticulturist to evaluate the trees, which were determined to be mostly dead or dying with multiple dead branches and falling pieces creating a safety hazard.  Nassau County will replant new trees better suited to the narrow area alongside the Kellogg House parking lot and curbing.”

Karen Montalbano, president of the Baldwin Civic Association and vice president of the Baldwin Historical Society, said she was also told the trees were an invasive species called Norway maple. New York Invasive Species Information’s website states the Norway maple have shallow roots, making it difficult for grass and other plants to grow.

“In urban environments, the root systems also destroys pavement causing money to be spent on damage repairs,” the website states. “Other species of flora and fauna, such as insects and birds may indirectly be affected due to the change in resource diversity and availability.” It’s also known to serve as a host to certain types of fungi.

Although Montalbano said she understands why the trees had to be taken down, she said she was upset that she only found out about it after the fact. “I think we were all taken by surprise when all of a sudden those trucks showed up and scorched the earth,” she said. “There was no prior notification.”

Montalbano said the tree demolition is just the latest chapter in the Kellogg House saga. “We were told it was going to be a community asset,” she said. “Instead we’ve heard nothing. It just seems the community is not being a part of the process of what’s happening with this house.”

The Kellogg House was built for Civil War veteran George Sumner Kellogg on Merrick Road and is the last of the residences built along the corridor. It was added to the National Registry of Historic Places last year. Montalbano and others have been pushing for it to become an arts or community center.