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A mature cedar tree, a climbing rose and other vegetation at 1101 South Duncan Avenue in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are the target of Asplundh workers intent on making extra room for AEP SWEPCO employees to install a new and larger power pole. The new poll reportedly was necessary to provide service to the adjacent 28-acre Aspen Ridge condominium development.

The cedar was removed in August 2006 and a 30-foot rose vine that decorated its branches for decades was laid on the ground. The red roses bloom each April through June and often draw passersby to stop and photograph it or ask to clip a rose to take home. The rose vine had leaf buds in February 2007 but remains on the ground. The pole was not replaced when other poles on Hill Ave., 11th Street and S. Duncan Ave. were, apparently because it sits on high ground. The owners of the cedar and rose begged officials to find an alternative to cutting; and, too late, they did.

Vegetative barriers have been especially important to householders in the Town Branch Neighborhood since the 28 acres between Sixth and 11th streets were cleared and the streets have been torn up by construction equipment and hundreds of trips by dump trucks. Work on Aspen Ridge, which stopped in July 2006, is expected to being in spring.