Wilmington’s Tree Removal Sparks Debate | Wilmington News

Wilmington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 27, 2026 · 1m

Three historic laurel oaks in Wilmington were cut down—despite being beloved neighborhood landmarks—because they were dangerously rotten inside, with cavities up to two feet deep. Critics, including former council member Luke Waddell, say the city ignored requests for a second opinion from an independent arborist and failed to communicate with residents before the removal. Even tree advocates like Margee Herring of the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees admit that sometimes safety demands tree removal, even if it’s emotionally hard. The city promises to replant with live oaks later, but the episode…