Owners get approval to remove large oak at 2143 Madison Avenue, must plant replacement tree

The Montgomery City Architecture Review Board on an application from the owners of 2143 Madison Avenue approved removal of a large water oak that owners said is damaging driveways and a brick porte-cochère column.

The board granted approval after hearing a structural assessment from the homeowners’ structural engineer, who described root-induced damage to both driveways and to a brick column at the house’s porte-cochère. Board members conditioned the approval on the applicants planting a substantial replacement shade tree in a backyard location and coordinating species selection with the city’s urban forester.

The homeowners, Alisa Beck and Bill Beck, told the board that tree roots had lifted portions of the concrete driveway and were affecting the foundation and a brick column at waist height near the porte-cochère. “The bottom 4 feet of that column is 1 and an eighth inch out of plumb,” said Bill Beck, who identified himself as a licensed structural engineer in Alabama. He described multiple locations where slabs had lifted and said the applicants planned to monitor grade and moisture after removal before further work on driveway grade.

Board members asked whether neighbors had been consulted; the applicants said they had discussed the work with adjacent property owners and the neighborhood association. Paul Rollinson, identified as president of the neighborhood association, attended and reviewed the condition of the tree.

Board discussion focused on protecting nearby landscaping and on the choice and placement of the replacement tree. The board asked the applicants to coordinate tree species and planting location with the city urban forester, David Babb, and to aim for a substantial shade tree that would not recreate the same root conflicts. The applicants said they would consider a red oak or another larger shade species if appropriate to site conditions.

A city staff member noted the applicants had been provided the municipal tree guidance and would receive a recommended list of suitable replacement trees from the urban forestry office. The board also discussed using an insured, bonded tree service; the applicants said they had engaged a local commercial contractor for removal.

The board’s motion approving removal included conditions that the applicants (1) replant a substantial shade tree in the backyard at a location indicated on the application and (2) coordinate species selection and planting with the urban forester. The board recorded the motion as approved; the transcript does not include a roll-call vote.

The applicants said they would try to preserve an existing camellia on the site if possible during removal. The board noted that homeowners are responsible for documenting and protecting features where reasonable during removal work.

What's next: The applicants will coordinate tree species and planting with the urban forester and proceed with removal under the condition the replacement tree is planted as agreed.