Historic Houston tree cut down for development will be made into furniture

A crew cuts down a historic, century-old Sycamore tree at the corner of Oxford Street and 23rd St., Monday, June 17, 2013, in Houston. Locals showed their support in keeping the tree as they stood in protest. The tree is 106-feet tall, according to the 2011 Harris County Tree Registry. less A crew cuts down a historic, century-old Sycamore tree at the corner of Oxford Street and 23rd St., Monday, June 17, 2013, in Houston. Locals showed their support in keeping the tree as they stood in protest. ... more Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Historic Houston tree cut down for development will be made into furniture 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

A century-old American Sycamore tree in the Heights was chopped down today by developers to make way for new construction, even as locals were crying foul.

A petition was created on the change.org site in an effort to stop Period Construction and Edward Goerig from cutting down the historic tree, which also happened to be listed in the 2011 Harris County Tree Registry.

According to the registry, it was 106 feet tall.

Neighbors knew the tree as the second-oldest sycamore in the county.

Goerig says that the old sycamore was unsafe, and was more than likely damaged by the recent drought.

Goerig says that he conferred with two tree surgeons who said that the tree had been growing incorrectly since the top of it was sheared off during Hurricane Ike and the existing branches weren't stable. He said another sycamore had caused damage to a house on the property months back as well, with a branch falling into a condemned, uninhabited dwelling.

Still, he says he tried to keep the tree.

"We even designed the new house around the tree," Goerig says.

He added that he tried to explain this all to locals, some of whom showed up at his own home unannounced, to no avail.

Sarah Mason has owned the property diagonal to the tree for the past five years and said she would be sad to see the tree go.

A construction crew began cutting off the tree's large limbs in preparation of clearing it off the property this morning.

"I won't live long enough to see a tree to live to this size and age," said Mason, speaking just yards away from the sycamore.

"One reason I bought a house in the Heights is because of the large, mature trees," she said.

She says around 20 to 30 people had visited the area around the tree today, and police officers were on hand just in case things got testy between the construction crew and the locals.

Mary Edgerton has lived near the tree for the past seven years and says the tree has always been a pleasing site for neighbors.

Jessica Wilt, the Heights community activist who organized the online petition, says she has about 80 signatures.

"It provides habitat, much needed shade, and drainage," said Wilt.

Since Period and Goerig own the property, they had every legal right to cut it down.

Goerig says that the tree is going to be used for furniture by a local carpenter.

Ketria Bastian Scott, an artist who lives in the neighborhood and who has tried to save the tree, said "the Lorax says you speak for the trees because the trees have no tongue. I feel like I have no tongue."

Visiting Australian journalist Aisha Dow contributed to this report.