City Steals Spruce, Tells Resident to Deal With it

Clam photo by Margo McBeth: Homeowner Joe Martin looks on helplessly as parks a forestry staff member Sally Stillman chops away at spruce tree in Martin's yard Dec. 2. The tree was used for the Upper Arlington tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6.

By: FERDINAND MONTGOMERY

UPPER ARLINGTON – Joe Martin had no idea what he was getting into when he took a day off work Dec. 2.

Martin said at first he had “not the slightest clue what was going on” when, half way through his bowl of Quaker Oatmeal he looked out his kitchen window and saw a city parks and forestry crew using a handsaw to work their way through a 14 foot Colorado Spruce in his back yard.

“It really took me a minute to realize what was going on,” said Martin.

Martin said he then went out onto his patio where he asked the man closest to him what the crew was doing.

“They said they were going to take my tree for the city holiday tree lighting ceremony,” said Martin. “They said I should feel honored and go back inside the house.”

Martin said that before he could object, Parks and Forestry Superintendent Mark McCormick came around the side of the house and spoke to him.

“(McCormick) acted like I’d won the damn lottery or something,” said Martin. “But I really liked that tree.”

McCormick said things happened slightly differently, that Martin was irate and “extremely hard to deal with”.

“Every year we nominate a tree,” said McCormick, adding that the tradition began in Upper Arlington in the early 1950s. “And when we harvest the tree the residents usually aren’t home. They usually don’t mind.”

Every December city staff cruise the neighborhoods looking for a tree of “good quality” that must be at least 12 feet tall and and exceptionally green, said McCormick.

“He had a great tree,” said McCormick.

Martin said he felt he was simply being distracted by McCormick.

“By the time that asshole got done talking,” said Martin. “The crew was dragging my tree around the house.”

Martin said he is pretty sure a particularly large woman, the one he said had been doing the actual sawing, called him a “little bitch”.

“And then (McCormick) said there wasn’t a whole lot I could do about it,” said Martin.

McCormick said that part of the story was true.

“There wasn’t,” said McCormick. “Our job was to get a tree, once it’s down you might as well fire up the chest nuts and suck down some egg nog because it’s Christmas baby.”

Martin said he plans to go before City Council in January but that he is not sure what he can do.

“I mean, they got the damn tree,” said Martin. “I don’t even know (if I’ll go before council) or not.”

McCormick said he was not aware of anyone on his crew calling Martin a little bitch.

“He was just upset,” said McCormick. “But (Martin)  practically saved Christmas.

“He’ll be alright, it’s not like he’s Jewish or something.”

The Upper Arlington Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held in Thompson Park on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.