Five large, decaying elm trees from the "Green Mile" are slated to come down this week, weather permitting.

The elms line the east side of Wisconsin Avenue (Maryland state Route 355) between Cumberland Avenue and Norwood Drive (adjacent to the Chevy Chase Club's property), and are part of the Green Mile—a stretch of Wisconsin Avenue between Friendship Heights and Bethesda that is known for its mature trees. The Maryland State Highway Administration is planning a sidewalk along that path.

The state highway administration's "recent evaluation of the trees resulted in this decision to remove them," according to a state highway administration news release.

"Many [of the trees] have large branches hanging over the roadway close to traffic and have been struck numerous times by vehicles, creating a public safety risk for motorists and pedestrians. In addition to presenting a safety hazard, the evaluation revealed extensive damage to the elms caused by vehicle crashes and marked their close proximity to power lines," the statement added.

Tree removal is scheduled to be completed by Friday, Sept. 7.

To remove the elm trees, state highway crews will close a northbound lane of Wisconsin Avenue between Cumberland Avenue and Norwood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each work day.

"Pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be maintained at all times throughout the work zone. SHA will use construction barrels, cones and signage to direct pedestrians to the safest possible crossings during the tree removal," the state highway administration's news statement added.