RE: YOUR CITY DESK ITEM

on how the city’s budget troubles impact street trees (11/24): The issue is not just amenities and aesthetics (“the tree-lined streets of Chevy Chase may be somewhat less shady” was how you put it). Those massive untrimmed branches fall, from 60 feet and higher, during wind and rain storms. Kids and adults can be seriously injured, even killed, when walking by or playing in the streets. Cars can be smashed (mine received a $700 blow not too long ago when a moderate-size branch smashed the windshield and roof of my 1983 Olds).

Residents of our block have just kicked in an average of $100 apiece to bring in a private tree-trimming service, after having unsuccessfully tried to get the city to do its job for over a year.

Chevy Chase, D.C.