Two of the largest American Linden trees, although not classified as champions or landmark trees, planted in the parkway strip along Ralston Street near the Lear Theatre on W 1st Street, in Reno, will be removed due to increased deterioration and increased public safety risk.Â
The City of Reno, Parks and Recreation Deparmtent in a memorandum to the Mayor and City Council, made notification of the need for the removal, based on not only a severe decline in the two trees' health but the public risk associated due to an increase in tree branch failure.Â
The Parks and Recreation Department says that despite the efforts of the Urban Forestry Division to save the trees by adding supplemental irrigation, frequent prunings and additional care, the health of both trees continued to decline. Both trees suffer from severe dieback, poor soil conditions, and inadequate water supply, leaving further preservation efforts unsustainable.Â
The City says that a risk assessment done by Lucas Procter, a certified Tree Risk Assessor, confirmed the trees' condition, and they recommended that the trees be removed to prevent further safety hazards to the public. The assessment showed there was a greater risk of tree branch breakage, which could lead to property damage to parked cars or possible injuries to pedestrians in the area.Â
The tree removals are scheduled to take place by the end of April 2026.Â
