Trees swapped out in Cleveland's Market Square Park

CLEVELAND - Have you ever seen trees triple in size in just a few days? That's what has happened at a park on Cleveland's near west side. But what sounds unnatural was actually the work of philanthropic citizens.

Six small crab apple trees have been replaced by mature Cleveland Select Pear Trees at the newly redesigned Market Square Park across from Cleveland's West Side Market in the Ohio City neighborhood.

According to the area's community development organization, Ohio City Inc., the crab apple trees that were planted in the park this spring were too small for the space.

With the help of a landscape architect, an arborist and Adobe, Modern Lifestyle Developers -- a local real estate design firm -- the crab apple trees were removed and donated to a nearby emergency shelter for replanting, while the larger pear trees were installed.

The six new trees rise to a height of about 20 feet and appear to be 6-8 inches in diameter -- far larger than the apple tree saplings.

Market Square Park was rededicated this summer as part of the ongoing centennial celebration of the west Side Market.