An arborist notified Town of Tryon officials early last week that his recommendation is to remove trees from the Depot Plaza parking lot as part of the area’s renovation project.

Tryon leaders are currently piecing together a timeline for the project, funded by a NC Main Street Solutions Fund (MSSF) grant.

“After surveying the situation at the old depot, this is my conclusion. The five oak trees in the parking lot will be damaged when the new parking lot is installed,” said arborist Dale Epperson in an email to Tryon Manager Joey Davis on Aug. 11. “Considering the stress and unhealthy state these trees are currently in, there is no question that it would be a waste of time and money to try and save these trees.”

Tryon’s Director of Economic Development Crys Armbrust said a professional arborist was called in for the assessment after several concerns were raised about the trees’ condition.

“Our plan calls for the trees to be replaced,” Armbrust said. “I’d personally like to see them replaced with caliper noble trees, so we can yet have that vertical thrust.”

Epperson said the oak closest to the building has had substantial limbs removed over the years, which allowed insects to enter the tree and disease to set up in its trunk.