Some Cape residents want their lush forest back
CAPE CORAL, Fla. - "I didn't want to see the trees cut down," said Michelle Atkins. "I liked the way the forest looked."
For Atkins, the clearing of a nearby forest has left more than an eyesore. She says it's made her son sick.
"And you think it's all because of the trees?" asked Fox 4 reporter Gabrielle Sarann. "Absolutely," replied Atkins.
In July, the city began chopping down trees by Oasis Charter Schools. Atkins says her 7-year-old's asthma has flared ever since.
"He went on a course of antibiotics and steroids, it still didn't stop it," explained Atkins.
The city says it thinned the woods at the request of the neighborhood association. Other nearby residents like Diego Gil are upset too. "The more trees we got, the more oxygen we're going to breathe and we need it," he said.
So, I went to the city for answers. Connie Barron, the spokeswoman for the city said in a statement, "The city made the right decision to take steps to protect these homes from the threat of fire particularly during the dry season."
Still, Atkins says these recently removed trees continue to cause her problems.
"My son's asthma,he was wheezing for over three weeks," added Atkins. "We've been to the doctor four times."
The city says it'll replant new trees like it did at Major Park. But for now...
"The forest was really beautiful and it still is beautiful but the big gaping holes that you see now, it's sad," concluded Atkins. "It's sad to see."
The city says within a few months, residents should see the area begin to replenish with other trees and wildflowers.
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