Paris, Tenn.–Workers began the arduous task of taking down two mature oak trees from the Henry County Courthouse lawn Monday morning. The Henry County Courthouse Committee voted in May to take the trees down after a report from County Extension Agent Ranson Goodman. Goodman and UT Institute of Agriculture Dr. David Mercker inspected the trees and evaluations of the trees “gave us concern”, he said. Both recommended that “both these trees will continue weakening” and that at this point “there is no saving them”. “In the meantime, as limbs die, they will be a safety hazard to pedestrians, particularly on windy days”. H&B Tree Service of Paris is doing the work. (Shannon McFarlin photo).