Work to cut down a tree Thursday morning caused Sprigg Street to be closed from near the Show Me Center to Normal Avenue.

Workers with Cape Tree Service Inc. cut down the tree in connection with construction at the new Ratliff Nursing Home site, 717 N. Sprigg, said firm Vice President Jean Freeman.

Cape Girardeau police assisted the firm with blocking off the street a little up from the Show Me Center, said Freeman and her husband, firm president Don Freeman. She said the street was blocked off from about 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., though traffic got to travel through at certain times.

Police Capt. Steve Strong said a traffic officer directed traffic around the area.

Freeman described the tree as a rather large hackberry. "A lot of that canopy hung over the street," she said.