One black olive and its poetic branches are now gone from the tree-lined median that some say gives Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Boulevard its famous charm.
The termite-infested tree, deemed unhealthy by the city, was chopped down two hours before dawn, then hauled off to a landfill.
Only 14 black olives remain.
One day, the tree cutters will come for them too.
The entire median will disappear and the trees along with it when construction gets underway in two to three years on a redesign of Las Olas that will cost at least $7.5 million.
The redesign calls for wider sidewalks lined with up to 90 canopy trees on both sides of Las Olas. The new trees will need eight years to reach full maturity after being planted.
Commissioners approved the plan last month in a 3-2 vote.
Mayor Dean Trantalis cast one of the dissenting votes.
“I got three text messages this morning damning me for having the trees taken out,” he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “And I voted against it.”
People from as far as Denver have urged the city to leave the trees alone.
A spraypaint-toting vandal tagged a nearby fence about 5 a.m., right before the chopping crew showed up. The message he left behind: “Leave Our Trees. We Said No.”
Longtime resident Nancy Thomas sent an email to Vice Mayor John Herbst last month arguing the trees should stay.
“For now, the trees are not dying and look very nice,” Thomas said. “They could use nurturing and the medians should be spruced up.”
A worker cuts down a black olive tree on Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Boulevard on Thursday. The tree, deemed unhealthy by the city, was hauled off to a landfill. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Herbst, who voted in favor of removing the trees along with Commissioners Steve Glassman and Ben Sorensen, sent this response: “There are lots of opinions about the health of the trees, mostly from folks who know very little about trees. The city arborist is the primary one I’m going to listen to when I make my decision — and the arborist tells me they are dying.”
At least one man is saying good riddance to the trees.
“I live in a condo high-rise downtown off Las Olas and I couldn’t tell you how happy I am that those ugly, old, dirty black olive trees will be finally removed,” Brian Anderson said in an email to the Sun Sentinel. “Replaced with an upgraded clean vibe. Out with the old and in with the new.”
Steve Hudson, vice chair of Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown Development Authority, showed up to watch the tree come down near Louie Bossi’s pizzeria. But he was too late.
“There was not much left,” he said. “Most of it was done. It was just a stump left.”
Then Hudson noticed the graffiti on the fence he owns.
“I already had my guys paint over it,” he said. “Everybody who didn’t want the trees out is up in arms. But this tree was consumed by termites. This is the first one to go, but it won’t be the last one. They do look beautiful, but they won’t look beautiful for long. The rest of them are in fair to poor health and will continue to die.”
A worker cuts down a black olive tree on Las Olas Boulevard on Thursday. City officials say the tree was infested with termites. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Not everyone is sorry to see the trees go, Commissioner Glassman told the Sun Sentinel.
Plenty of business owners downtown have actually thanked him, he said.
“They understand what we’re trying to do on the boulevard,” Glassman said. “And they understand that you can’t let diseased trees stay there. It’s not just about wider sidewalks. It’s about redesigning the boulevard for the future. It’s also about public safety.”
Change is not always easy, Glassman noted.
“But look around Fort Lauderdale,” he added. “Change is everywhere. The city is changing. I’ve been hearing a lot more positive comments from people once they understand the full picture. All I know is we’re doing the right thing.”
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan