By Dan Jansenson
Had (Bill) Bauer expended a fraction of the energy on fact-checking as he did on name-calling (“Activists lead the ficus fiasco,” Oct. 1), he would have encountered the following facts: 1. The treesavers.blogspot.com Web site is not spreading misinformation and innuendo, as Mr. Bauer implies. To the contrary, the site is chock-full of information: Hard facts, university studies, interviews with Santa Monica’s urban forester and newspaper articles from Santa Monica and around the world; all of them providing solid backup to the blog’s arguments in favor of preserving the healthy ficus trees downtown. 2. The Web site — and tree supporters — are clear on the need to remove those trees that have proven to be a hazard; what we are seeking is the preservation in place of 31 healthy, large, mature shade-giving trees, and any other trees that may be destroyed for “design” reasons, as the city calls them; we believe that, contrary to the Chief Arborist’s claim, it is not so easy to transplant large mature urban trees successfully, and rather than endangering them needlessly by massive uprooting and transplantation, it is best to let these trees stay in place: providing shade to humans, and sustenance to animals as they have for many years; 3. It is inaccurate to say that city staff has “bent over backwards to appease residents and save as many trees as possible.” It’s actually very easy to save as many trees as possible: Just don’t yank out 31 healthy, mature trees needlessly. Leave them there and save us all a lot of money.
I’m sure Mr. Bauer would agree that spending hundreds of thousands of dollars blocking traffic, digging exploratory root-exploration holes, pruning the canopies and roots of these trees and then yanking them out — only to replant them down the block (or by the airport) — is not the best use of our tax dollars. Shouldn’t we just simply plant additional trees where they’re needed, and leave these wonderful ficus in peace?
Should Mr. Bauer wish to join our tree-saving (and tax-money-saving) efforts, rest assured he would be welcomed with warmth and friendship, by both tree lovers and nudnicks alike.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 3, 2007. Read the original PDF.