Good evening,

I've been down this road before in the town I grew up in.  My mother, Shade Tree Commissioner (volunteer position) for our town, planted beautiful honey locust trees on our main street.  Prior planning and approval occurred.  Once they were in, a few businesses complained that the trees were 'hiding' their business signs.  They were in foliage for only 6 months a year, if that, and they were not densely vegetated trees to begin with.  Over time, the shade has great improved visiting downtown and actually increased businesses bottom economic line by having more folks visit during the warmer months.  And, of course, the trees grew above and beyond the height of the signs and were able to be wisely pruned.  Please don't allow VDOT to use this sham of a false reason to trim large diameter trees in street ROW's.  Thank you very much for reading and considering my thoughts.