MIDDLEBURY — The front of Krider Garden looks different after the removal of nine large Norway Maple trees on Monday, but town officials say it is an opportunity to improve the park.

“The park department and the tree board received an urban forestry grant to pay for the removal of the trees, because if they were left alone, they would destroy the ecosystem of Krider and the surrounding area,” said park board president, Jim McKee.

“Their seeds spread all over the place, and they outcompete native trees,” said parks and recreation manager, Tom Enright. “The removal of these trees gives us an opportunity to landscape with native species of trees. We will be able to bring more diversity to this area of the park and plant trees that will add color in the spring and the fall. We will also add shrubs and landscaping to create a nice entrance into Middlebury on C.R. 8.”

The ill-fated trees were marked earlier this year with large red Xs.

“We waited until the ground was frozen to remove them to minimize damage to the ground and other plants,” said McKee.

“I am excited that they are down,” said tree board president Larry Carlson. “They drop a horrendous amount of seed pods, and the other plantings in the park will benefit from their removal.”