The birds on Ideal Avenue will keep the majority of their food stores this winter, after it was determined by the city that a row of hackberry trees on the east roadside would not need moving to put in the permanent water treatment plant to treat PFAS contamination. This comes as good news given that the trees harbor fruit (inset) for area birds alongside their aesthetic function. Cottage Grove Public Works Director Ryan Burfiend shared more via email as to the trees amidst ongoing road and other construction nearby. “The drinking water treatment plant in question will be located in the northeast corner of the Ideal Avenue & 110th Street intersection,” he said. “Water, sewer, and stormwater utilities need to be constructed along the east side of Ideal Avenue, north of 110th Street, to serve this facility. Originally, it appeared the trees along the east side of Ideal Avenue would need to be removed to install these utilities.  Based on the final plans for our water treatment plant, the majority of the trees along Ideal Avenue are now being saved, with only a small number being removed where the driveways are being built.” The trees will stay and birds eat.