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Hayden — Hayden tree lovers might have to bid farewell to three of the town's oldest cottonwoods.

The roots from three cottonwood trees that help form a canopy over the east end of town along U.S. Highway 40 have invaded the basement of a home, and similar problems could happen elsewhere.

The home at 601 E. Jefferson Ave. has been on the market and is currently under contract. The intruding roots were discovered during a home inspection, and the town investigated the problem at the request of the broker representing the potential buyer.

The roots have the potential to do enough damage to the home and surrounding properties that Hayden Town Manager Russ Martin ordered the trees removed within 30 days.

"It's either the tree or the house," Martin said. "It's really unfortunate, and that's really an understatement. These are some of the best Highway 40 trees in town, and it's sad."

The trees are in the right-of-way adjacent to the home, but according to the municipal code, "the town manager is authorized to require any owner or agent of any premises to plant, trim, spray, remove or otherwise care for trees upon the portion of any public sidewalk or street upon which such premises abut."

In this case, caring for the trees might mean removing them. Martin informed the involved parties in writing that the trees would have to be removed, but he said the town is seeking advice from experts to see whether the trees can be spared. One possibility includes trenching along the sidewalk to sever the roots.

Whatever the solution, it might have to be applied at more properties along Jefferson Avenue, where many of the cottonwood trees were planted almost a century ago.

"They are the original cottonwoods that Bill Wright planted early in the town's history," Hayden historian Pat Holderness said. "They're kind of historic."

Holderness, who also led a movement to have Hayden declared a Tree City U.S.A, said Wright was an early Hayden settler who likely planted the trees "out of the goodness of his heart."

Hayden is celebrating its second year as a Tree City.

Holderness said the trees are healthy, and she hopes they can be spared.

"It kind of makes a beautiful entrance to Hayden," Holderness said. "I do hate to lose them because they are beautiful trees."

- To reach Matt Stensland, call 871-4210 or e-mail mstensland@steamboatpilot.com