By P.J. Palmer Ocean Park
It seems that most of the folks who write letters to the Daily Press regarding the beautification project downtown are fiercely opposed to the removal and relocation of the ficus trees on Fourth and Second streets.
So, as a long-time Santa Monica resident, reader of this paper, staunch environmentalist and lover of our urban forest, I thought I should go ahead and voice my opinion even if it is in direct opposition to the majority that is writing in.
I am really happy to see the diseased downtown ficus trees already being removed. I look very forward to seeing the many more new trees that are coming into the area and I look forward to seeing the healthy ficus trees of downtown moved to parks were they can do what they do best: grow.
Personally, I love ficus trees. There are six huge ficus on the property I live on where they have all sorts of room to grow.
Ficus are spectacular trees when they can expand their root systems and branches into all their glory. Those poor ficus trees Downtown never had a chance in such a crowded area.
The result has been living with dangerously deformed sidewalks and curbs and trees susceptible to disease from over pruning. Who-knows how much money is spent per year pruning, repaving, fixing sewers, fixing damaged busses and all the other things that come with having ficus trees living where they do not belong.
We deserve a better Downtown and those beloved ficus trees deserve better too, like being moved to parks where they can grow.
There are plenty of species of trees that would better fit our downtown. Ficus trees belong in more open areas where their canopy can actually mature and provide all the wonderful things that come with such a large tree.
The folks who work to manage the trees for our city have been beaten up this year over their very responsible and sound choices to remove and relocate these ficus. I am really happy to see common sense win over misplaced emotion and drama.
I know that most of the good people involved with attempting to stop the city from removing and relocating the trees have very good intentions and I hope that with this issue finally being put to rest they can refocus their energy towards some of the very real and very pressing environmental issues that plague our city.
Here’s to a safer, more environmentally efficient, tree-filled and beautiful new downtown for all of us to enjoy.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 11, 2008. Read the original PDF.