Sarasota County will soon begin removing 42 black olive trees along West Dearborn Street in Englewood, citing storm damage, safety hazards, and high maintenance costs.
Thirty-six of the trees are located on the west side of the street, and six are located on the south side. The black olives were planted in 2022 as part of a streetscape project, but have since struggled. According to Sarasota County’s website, many trees are leaning, creating overhead hazards for pedestrians and vehicles. Others have root systems that have pushed up sidewalks, making the walkways uneven and unsafe.
County officials said maintenance costs for the black olives have continued to grow, and replacing them with Christmas palms will reduce long-term expenses. The palms require less irrigation, are more drought resistant, and already line the south side of the corridor…