Residents halt the removal of sweet gum trees on Westwood Avenue

April 16, 2012 | 7:29 p.m. CDT

The roots of the sweet gum trees that line Westwood Avenue between West Broadway and West Stewart Road are buckling the sidewalk. The city was planning to remove them until residents recently signed a petition to keep them.

Three sweet gum trees display orange Xs for removal near the intersection of West Stewart Road and Westwood Avenue on Monday. The roots of the trees are buckling the sidewalk, and the city was planning to remove them until residents recently signed a petition. | Timmy Huynh

The roots of a sweet gum tree push through the curb along Westwood Avenue on Monday. Several trees are similarly buckling or breaking pavement and sidewalk along the street and were marked for removal. | Timmy Huynh

Sweet gum trees line Westwood Avenue between West Broadway and West Stewart Road on Monday. Eight trees were marked for removal, but residents signed a petition to keep the trees. | Timmy Huynh