Treesavers hold demonstration over ficus tree relocation plan
A group of ficus trees that captured national attention after local environmentalists rallied to keep them in place are expected to be relocated starting this week.
Crews were out on Tuesday preparing at least one tree — located on the 1400 block of Fourth Street — for relocation to the Palisades Garden Walk behind the RAND Corp., sparking a demonstration that evening by the Santa Monica Treesavers.
The work by City Hall comes more than three months after 23 ficus trees that were deemed structurally deficient were cut down during the early morning hours of May 16, a move that was criticized by activists who claimed the specimens were intentionally removed with little notice.
The trees are part of a Downtown beautification project that includes the removal of 23 ficus and the relocation of seven others, a plan that has been challenged by the Treesavers over the past year.
Workers began removing the concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter at three ficus locations on Second and Fourth streets, according to Kate Vernez, assistant to the city manager on governmental relations. Boxes that will enclose the root ball of the tree, making it safer for relocation, will be built later this week.
Vernez estimates that all seven trees will be moved by the end of September.
“It takes a while to go through the process,” she said.
The Treesavers rallied around the tree in front of 1447 Fourth St. on Tuesday evening, calling on City Hall to halt the project until a proposed urban forestry commission is put into place.
The City Council last month directed its staff to begin exploring the possibility of forming a board that would advise on tree matters.
“There’s no need to rush and do this,” Jerry Rubin, one of the founders of the Treesavers, said. “What we should be doing is having an emergency town hall meeting to discuss the whole aspect of whether it should be relocated or not and talk about it.”
Rubin, who is running for City Council, said he had packed chains in anticipation of the demonstration and would lock himself to a tree if necessary.
The trees became a local issue last year when the City Council approved funding for the beautification plan, which includes curb extensions, sidewalk repair and lighting improvements along Second and Fourth streets.
The original proposal called for the relocation of 31 ficus trees but that number was later shaved down to seven. The plan also includes two new ginkgo biloba trees for each displaced ficus.
The Treesavers took City Hall to court in October of last year, claiming violations to state environmental laws. The case came to an end in May when the California Appellate Court rejected the Treesavers’ legal challenge.
City Hall has stressed that it has a strong record in safely relocating trees citywide, boasting a 95 percent success rate.
The trees in their new location will allow them to live even longer, not requiring extensive pruning that would be necessary if it remains on the sidewalk, city officials said.
“These trees are expected to thrive in the new Palisades Garden Walk,” Vernez said.
Jump hedline: Treesavers hold demonstration over relocation plan
Suggested pullquote: “There’s no need to rush and do this.”
Jerry Rubin
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 3, 2008. Read the original PDF.