COLUMBIA, 8/11/12 (Beat Byte) -- A
charged controversy that kicked off this spring over trees impinging on sidewalks may have a simple solution: remove existing sidewalks and rebuild them
around the trees, rather than removing the trees entirely.
![](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/7716317308_7bac482aea_q.jpg)
City crews removed several sweet gum trees on Westwood Ave. and rebuilt the sidewalk the same way it was before.
On a recent visit to Cooperstown, NY, Old Southwest Columbia residents Bob and De Minner sent photos of a better approach, in wide use around the nation.
Click the photos for larger pictures.