The Day newsroom is tackling a reader-submitted question about the clear cutting of trees along Connecticut roads and highways as we relaunch our Curious CT feature.

Readers submitted more than 40 story ideas. We put them to a staff vote and narrowed the selection to three, which we sent back to readers for a final vote.

Reporter Claire Bessette has been assigned to the story, which we’ll publish in about a month:

The winning question was submitted by reader William Greeley:

Why is there clear-cutting of trees along CT roads and highways?

The once tree-lined and canopied Connecticut roads and highways are mostly barren of trees these days, and it’s noticeably getting worse. If logic was to protect electric infrastructure, I might understand, but it goes way beyond that thought. Roadways, and long stretches of highway without any power lines, have been clear cut well beyond the roadsides.

The absence of large trees exposes hills and cliff sides to increased erosion, and the now-sun-exposed clear-cut areas will be barren for years as all shade vegetation has been wiped out. The bits of vegetation that is able to survive will have to make its way through chipped debris and abandoned logs left behind from the State of CT’s handiwork.

Can you investigate and find out the why, where and when it will all stop?

Stay tuned while we investigate.