By Andrea Drever Associate Creative Director, RPA
I sense that the Santa Monica City Council would truly like to save the trees on Second and Fourth streets, but are genuinely worried that they may be hazardous. A legitimate concern. I suspect that’s why the city brought in independent arborist Cyd Carlberg to inspect the 23 trees slated for destruction. She spoke at last week’s council meeting, which I attended. When I got home, I looked at her report to see what her findings were.
To say my jaw dropped is a gross understatement! Ms. Carlberg conducted a study of each of the 23 trees slated to be destroyed, and rated each tree individually on a chart. First, she rated each according to its “Physiological Condition,” which is overall health. Every single one of the 23 trees scored 4 out of 5 for overall health, which is the highest, thus best, rating.
She then rated each according to its “Failure Potential,” which is a measure of its overall structural condition. Only three trees rated a “high.” Some 13 trees rated a low for failure potential, which is the low-est, thus best, rating Should any trees be removed at all? I certainly don’t think so. And on page 10 of Ms. Carlberg’s report, she even states that the 23 ficus trees could remain in place and the risks could be minimized..."by vigilant hardscape replacement or repair and canopy pruning performed annually.”
So, as you can see, we Treesavers are not merely impassioned protesters who are willing to turn a blind eye to hazards. We are in fact people who are seeing these kinds of findings over and over and asking “Why?”
Please review these findings for yourself! You can access this information by Goggling “City of Santa Monica Official Homepage,” and then searching for: Walt Warriner and independent arborist. A document will come up entitled “2nd and 4th Street Chronology.” It’s a long document. Go to page 10, and you’ll see Ms. Carlberg’s chart.
Please look at this chart for yourself. I still have faith that City Council will do the right thing, and avert the Santa Monica Chainsaw Massacre. It’s not too late.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 3, 2008. Read the original PDF.