By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Despite pleas from councilor Michael Morley, maple trees will not be a replacement option for Ogdensburg city residents who lost maple trees as part of the Paterson Street project.

Morley said that because Ogdensburg calls itself “The Maple City,” it should offer maples as an option.

The city removed more than 50 maple trees on Paterson Street as part of an ongoing massive project to widened the roadway and replace dated water lines.

The city is offering to replace the trees for residents who will be able to pick from 11 varieties, including red oaks, but maple trees will did not make the list.

City planner Andrea Smith said maples were not included because 49 percent of the city’s existing tree population is maple.

Smith says the city’s arborist said the high volume of one species makes the city’s tree population susceptible to disease and invasive species, which could decimate a massive amount of the city’s tree inventory if a maple specific problem occurred.

She said the arborist recommended no more than 20 percent of one particular species.

Councilor Morley said he understood the concern, but felt maples should remain as an option.

Morley noted that the trees were hearty and beautiful and were part of the city’s heritage.

Smith also indicated that maples, which live long and grow tall can also cause problems underneath power lines. Morley agreed, but said the same could be said of red oaks.

Morley also questioned if these 11 tree varieties would be used in future plantings.

Smith indicated that the list was established as part of an urban forestry grant and would be likely be used in future plantings. She also noted that it could be modified in the future, but reiterated that high maple population would make maples an unlikely candidate for the list.

Smith also added that there is no law restricting the planting of maple trees by home owners, but that the city would not be encouraging the planting of maple trees based on recommendations from arborists.

The city elected not to include maples on the list of trees it would provide for replacements on Paterson Street.