Just before the intersection of Whitworth Avenue and MonticelloStreet, several strange tree trunks jut from brick planters liketroubled juvenile telephone poles or miniature storm victim treesfrom last Sunday’s carnage.

But they’re neither. The trees on Monticello Street in front ofthe old Phillips Army Surplus store and other businesses nearby hadgrown too big and were blocking storefront views from the street,said Ward Four Alderwoman Shirley Estes.

“We’ve got some individuals cutting them down, because they hadgotten large and were obscuring the signs,” she said.

Estes said the Chamber of Commerce Community AppearanceCommittee had requested the possibility of clearing the trees sincethe storefronts on that section of Monticello were being freshenedup and repainted. The board of aldermen approved the request onApril 7.

The problem wasn’t only the size of the trees, officials said.The root systems underground had begun to buckle and crack thesidewalks.

“We’re going to plant something else that the merchants feel aremore appropriate,” said Mayor Bob Massengill. “I think thatBrookhaven Beautiful has a plan for replacing them with somethingthat will be pretty all year long and that won’t interfere with thesidewalks.”

Officials said they had expected the trees to be cut a littleshorter, but that the stumps won’t be left where they are. Theywill be removed soon to make room for a smaller, more decorativetree.

Motorists and pedestrians said they had noticed thestrange-looking tree remnants, but assumed there was a reason.

“I saw that there,” said Mary Jackson of Brookhaven, who waswalking down Monticello on Friday afternoon. “I thought it lookedfunny, but you know they’re always doing something indowntown.”