By Cindy McQuade Santa Monica
(As) a longtime Santa Monica resident, I applaud the wisdom and perseverance of the Santa Monica Treesavers. It is wrong to remove healthy trees. There are questions as to whether or not some of the trees scheduled for destruction are diseased or dangerous. This alone should put a halt to the process. Destruction is too easy and too often chosen as a quick solution to a problem. Consider rubber sidewalks for the stretching of the roots. Improve the pruning practices. Place bicycle lanes between the sidewalks and parked cars. The trees will no longer be injured by parking vehicles and the bike riders will have a safer path. Find alternative lighting structures. It takes a long time for a tree to grow.
I often try to walk on the shady side of the street. It is desirable to park a car in the shade, especially if you are leaving your pet inside. Even with windows open, it can get dangerously hot. It is hard to find shade and tree coverage. Our ficus trees provide a wonderful canopy.
When our New Orleans neighborhoods were immersed in 10 feet of water, sewage and filth for weeks, the trees died. As each sweltering New Orleans summer returns, these neighborhoods are without the relief and saving canopy of shade. I thought of my New Orleans friends this summer as I searched for shade mid-day. There is not much shade in our fair city.
I fear something shady is taking place and we need to bring light to the poor planning and decision-making process which would kill our beautiful and healthy trees.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 6, 2007. Read the original PDF.