Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyPeople living in one Ahwatukee neighborhood are upset after crews cut down a large Mesquite tree that some say stood for more than 100 years.
"It looked like a piece of artwork," said neighbor Felicia Blasdel. "You walk by and couldn't help but admire it."
According to the
Mountain Park Ranch Homeowners' Association, workers from
Salt River Project removed the tree, located near 41st Place and Ranch Circle South last week.
However, ABC15 has confirmed workers from
APS were actually the ones responsible for removing the tree.
"We weren't forewarned," said neighbor Cassandra Brady-Beetham. "There had to be options and we didn't get to discuss it. It's hard to take."
Damon Gross, spokesperson for APS, said crews removed the tree because the tree's branches grew to within 5 feet of the high voltage line.
Gross says because kids would climb the tree, and trees are a conductor of electricity, it posed a safety hazard.
"Any person or animal near of on the tree was subject to being electrocuted if the electricity arcs to the tree," said Gross.
Gross said APS had trimmed the tree three times in the past six years but the tree kept growing back toward the power lines.
"I'd rather you do a story on us removing a tree than a kid being electrocuted," said Gross.
Still, several neighbors questioned why the utility couldn't have trimmed the tree rather than remove it altogether.
"I understand why that could be an issue, but in this case I don't agree," said neighbor Aubree Duplessis.
"It's a shame they had to cut it down, I'm sure they could have trimmed it up, it's still healthy," said neighbor Bob Dorsey.
