Chinese Pistache Tree Controversy

A giant Chinese Pistache tree in the middle of downtown Las Cruces is a rare find, right in the path of destruction, and risks being torn down or moved.

“The tree is beautiful,? Mike White, owner of White?s Music Box, said. ?It’s a magnificent tree.”

For more than 30 years, White said he has watched the Pistache tree sprout into a giant, mushroom-shaped landmark outside his downtown business.

“It was a great idea that didn’t work,? White said. ?And if you look up and down the street right now you can’t see anybody because there’s nobody here.”

The tree offers plenty of shade, but downtown mall is typically desolate, White said. Progress is being made for the downtown revitalization project, now headed straight for the tree, rooted smack in the middle of what will become a two-way street.

“My wish is that the tree will remain in that location as the landmark that it is,? Flo Hosa Dougherty, who wants the city to build around the tree, said. ?If it were removed it wouldn’t have the significance.”

To build a median around the tree would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagashima said.

“It’s too bad,? White said. ?It is beautiful – I wish it could be moved.”

Miyagashima said it can be relocated across town for about $40,000. But only if taxpayers meet the city halfway.

“Let them raise half the money and I’m ok with spending $20,000 to move it if we can ensure its success because that is a beautiful tree,” Miyagashima said.

Others said, either way, they will be saddened to see such a spectacular sight disturbed.

“It’s a shame but I guess new ones will be put in and then we can watch them grow,? a woman enjoying the afternoon shade said.

If a nonprofit organization is formed by December 31st, and raises nearly $20,000 by March 31st, the city will move forward with relocating the tree to Johnson Park, Miyagashima said.

But if either one of the conditions is not met, the tree will be chopped down, Miyagashima said.