A quiet street in Mineola is drawing attention — not for what’s been added, but for what’s suddenly missing.

Several large trees were recently cut down along Wellington Avenue, near Garfield Avenue, leaving behind stumps and questions from concerned neighbors.

Residents say the once tree-lined block was not only picturesque, but also a source of pride and environmental benefit for the community.

“A lot of the residents here are upset with all the trees having been taken down,” said Georgia Carl, who lives in the neighborhood. “It improves our air quality, and we had songbirds, our resident birds, even migratory birds from Canada. I think all that will be disturbed.”

Carl believes the trees were healthy and should have remained in place, citing the positive effects they had on property values, wildlife, and overall quality of life.

In response, Mineola Mayor Paul Pereira explained the reason behind the removal. In a phone interview, he said the street is set to undergo a major reconstruction project beginning this fall. Engineers concluded that the trees needed to be removed to accommodate the upgrades.

However, the mayor assured residents that the greenery will return — at least in part. For every tree taken down, he said, at least one new tree will be planted once the project is completed.