Superintendent north of Montana, with some areas greater than 50 percent. The residential areas south of Pico have consistent 30-percent canopy, greater than the recommended 18 percent for urban residential areas. While the city’s urban commercial areas fall a bit short, the average tree canopy is in line with the suggested average of 25 percent in the region.
A study conducted by the U.S. Forest Service estimated that the air pollutant uptake by Santa Monica’s tree canopy coverage is 10.7 metric tons, or 0.8 pounds per tree.
In addition to environmental benefits, trees also attract customers to local businesses and guard against crime, said Jeff McCullough with the National Arbor Day Foundation, which has partnered with The Home Depot Foundation to plant 1,000 trees in 10 cities across the country.
“On a hot day, some well placed trees can cut utility bills by 50 percent and businesses are proven to do better on a tree-greened street,”McCullough said.“Walking down the (Third Street) Promenade and in some of your neighborhoods, it’s very beautiful. Santa Monica is very impressive.”
While the trees protect us from harm, they are under constant attack themselves from the elements, whether it’s bacteria eating away palms or construction crews recklessly damaging them during demolition.
The greatest threat today is Fusarium, a bacteria that damages palm trees, causing fronds to wilt, losing their green luster. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure and the diseased tree has to be removed. The disease can spread in a number of ways, from infected pruning tools to spores floating from tree to tree because of the morning mist.
Several palms along Palisades Park and Ocean Avenue are exhibiting signs of Fusarium and will have to be removed in the coming months, Warriner said.
Some of the city’s Eucalyptus trees are also under assault by a fungus that feeds on dying wood. It eats a tree from the inside out, making it look as if the tree is still healthy. Roughly 98 percent of affected trees have been replaced, Warriner said, thanks to the Community Forest Renewal Program.
While City Hall has been criticized heavily for some controversial tree removals — most recently the loss of more than 75 damaged Eucalyptus trees citywide — Warriner is the first one to step in when trees can be saved. On a vacant lot across the street from City Hall, behind a chain link fence covered by a black tarp, there are several, full-grown trees sitting in large wooden boxes waiting to be transplanted. Others are at the Santa Monica Airport serving as a sound barrier for nearby residents.
“People around the world recognize Santa Monica for its urban forest and it is an honor to be a part of that,” said Warriner, who takes pride in knowing that the medians he maintains, in particular San Vicente Boulevard, are favorite places to exercise. “But the most important thing is the satisfaction of the residents. They give high marks when it comes to tree trimming services and that is a credit to the staff who are out there every day making it happen.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 27, 2007. Read the original PDF.