Beech Trees

These beautiful beech trees lived happily in a vacant lot at the corner of West Market Street and State of Franklin Road for over a century. I think the property was actually part of a homestead before the city expanded all around it. Plans were made to use the property for the expansion of the "Medical Corridor" associated with the hospital, and the trees were somehow "in the way" of the proposed progress. Many of us could not understand how the property could not be developed in a judicious manner so as to save the trees. I signed a petition to save the trees, and many others actually picketed the site. We lost the protest, though, and the trees were cut down. Then, the proposed project fell through and was never even started. Last I heard, a chain-drugstore was being built there. So much for "progress" and living harmoniously with Mother Earth. :(

photo by Johnson City Press