Suburban logging

I just saw a web update from home about the Bradford Pears lining the median in Vestavia, one of the Birmingham suburbs adjacent to mine. The trees, which resemble enormous white (slightly odoriferous) puffballs for about two weeks before going to leaf every spring, are apparently a safety hazard because drivers can't see oncoming traffic when cutting across the highway.

Granted. Vestavia's section of US-31 is annoying for several reasons, notably visibility, traffic density, and the smart-ass traffic cops who park at the bottom of the hill and wait to catch speeders. Some wise guy decided that Vestavia should be a 40-mph zone. Is this a safe idea? Undoubtedly. Does anyone between 16 and 65 actually keep to 40 in Vestavia when no cops are visibly present? No.

The current plan is to cut down the strip of trees, beginning last night, and to replace them with low-growing alternative foliage. I see the logic behind it, but something in me protests the removal of the Bradfords - they're gorgeous, right up there with the Japanese Cherries and the tulip trees for all-out spring blossoming. It's a shame to lose these lovely trees, especially because they've been in the median for so long.

Then again, I don't want to get broadsided by oncoming traffic, either. Decisions...