Lightning-Struck Cottonwood To Be Removed   March 2011
BY PATRICIA CULLEN
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The Boulder County Transportation Department plans to remove an old cottonwood at 240 Second Ave., located in the county right-of-way in front of Legendary Designs. The tree was damaged by a lightning strike in the summer of 2010.
Cotton Burden, who owns a real estate investment company across the street on Second Avenue, was a witness to the tree being struck by lightning.

In an email correspondence with the county road supervisor, Ted Plank, Burden said, “I also observed the tree throughout the summer and continue to observe it on a daily basis. The only observable damage that the strike did was the spiral scar that extends the height of the tree. Not only did the tree maintain all of its leaf canopy after the strike, but it is already producing buds for the coming growing season. These buds appear throughout the canopy.”

In addition, Burden noted that there is a pair of great horned owls that has been nesting in this tree for years.

Kathy Thitlgen, a Boulder County Parks and Open Space arborist inspected the tree. She wrote:

“In my professional opinion, I believe this tree poses a threat to the public at this time in its present condition. Although this tree may be healthy, aside from the lightning strike, it is in the over mature age class. Older trees do not respond well to significant damage. If we look back at the three factors of tree risk assessment, we can begin to ‘quantify’ the safety risks the tree poses to the public. The size of the compromised parts, large branch over sidewalk and the hollow wood at base, are significant and will continue to decline. If these parts were to fail, the target area will impact pedestrian, structures, parking and the street. I recommend the removal of the tree to mitigate the potential safety risks.”

As a result, the tree is scheduled to be cut down in March.
Not long ago, a large tree on Franklin Street lost a major limb, and damaged a house adjacent to Colterra Restaurant. That damage cost the county considerable money to repair, in addition to the cost of removing the damaged tree.

Niwot residents and downtown business owners are discussing whether pieces of this tree might be used by local artists to create sculptures.

Possible local artists include John Stobbelaar and John Rexford. Rexford makes highly polished bowls and other carvings made from local birch and cottonwood trees, and sells these pieces at Niwot Market.

Another idea is to leave a large stump to be carved into a sculpture, like the three trees on Niwot Road which are being carved into Native American-themed sculptures by Eddie Running Wolf.
While business owners could hire a private arborist for a second opinion, there does not seem to be enough interest at this time.