‘Stumped’ Richmonder turns to duct tape to keep split tree from falling while waiting on city

UPDATE: On Wednesday, Sept. 4, city officials reported the tree will be removed on Friday, Sept. 6.

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — When one Richmond resident was “stumped” over what to do about an unsafe tree near his home as he waits on action from the city, he turned to duct tape to keep the tree upright.

It’s a sticky situation. You’d almost have to see it to “be-leaf” it.

Ed Williamson, a resident of the Museum District, noticed what he thinks is an elm tree splitting down the middle about a month ago. So, to try and keep it from falling, he got crafty and wrapped it in duct tape.

“It’s holding the tree together … Not really,” Williamson joked when speaking to 8News on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Williamson’s not exactly sure why the tree, located at Hanover Avenue and Cleveland Street, began to split — but said he thinks it’s because one side is heavier than the other and has more branches.

In addition to the tape, Williamson added a sign to warn people about parking underneath it.

“It doesn’t seem to stop people from parking there,” he said.

Williamson has lived in his home with his wife since 2008 and said he remembers when the tree was planted. It grew so much over the years that, now, he feels the tree could be unsafe.

He told 8News he’s not just concerned about cars on the road near Cleveland and Hanover — he’s worried about the tree toppling on homes.

“Well, if it falls, it’s gonna fall on these three houses,” Williamson said, pointing to his and his neighbors’ homes.

Williamson said he and his neighbor alerted the City of Richmond about the tree in hopes of getting it chopped down.

According to city records, the first request was submitted by his neighbor on Aug. 12, who also made a call Aug. 22. Then, a third request was submitted on Monday, Sept. 2 by Williamson himself.

He went out on a limb and marked the trunk with a red marker where the tree initially split to keep track of it. But the problem splintered as he said the duct tape around it keeps getting tighter and tighter — signs that the split is growing.

“I don’t go to sleep worrying about it, but … you know, every time you come out you see the split and it’s gotten worse,” Williamson said.

The city told 8News on Tuesday that this tree is on a tree removal list, but it can’t confirm how long it will be before someone can actually come by.

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