Removal of mahogany trees ends with damage to a residence, rekindling call to protect heritage trees

ST. CROIX — After the removal of several mahogany trees at Maná Deli Restaurant led to part of one falling on a nearby rental unit, the neighboring property owner is seeking compensation from the contractor to cover damages.

Carla Andrews, owner of the property in Estate Peter’s Rest next door to Maná, said she was thankful nobody got hurt after part of the tree fell on a dwelling she rents out.  “I can always deal with material things, but thank God somebody’s life wasn’t taken,” she said.  The incident happened about two weeks ago when PC Landscaping and Water Delivery was removing multiple mahogany trees from the restaurant’s property. Photos of the removal posted and reposted on social media triggered comments noting the importance of trees to the ecosystem and the cultural significance of mahogany trees while questioning why they would be cut down.

Andrews said the roof of her rental unit got damaged during the process. She said nobody was home at the time, but rainwater now leaks inside.  Andrews said she was not contacted prior to the removal of the trees, including one that was located on the property line.  “We work very hard to build up what we’re doing, and we have so much more to do out there,” Andrews said, noting another tenant on her property sells clothes. “For somebody to just come in there and do something like that, and not say anything on top of it, I am very, very appalled.”

RAED MORE: