By When BILL BAUER isn’t dodging falling branches, he
The city has been under fire for its decision to remove and/or relocate ficus trees on Second and Fourth streets, Downtown. More recently, plans to remove and replace some 300 unsafe carob trees throughout the city has added to the furor.
The city amassed an impressive array of urban forest experts to explain "best management” practices and take questions on the upcoming removal and replacement project at a public meeting, last Thursday night.
But, the usual self-proclaimed experts on the city’s canopy and all things green, view this as another propaganda move by the city and Community Forester, Walt Warriner, whom they call “misguided.”
Many of the city’s trees are old and structurally compromised. They must be removed for public safety. There’s no doubt that many trees haven’t been pruned properly. Budget cuts in recent years have resulted in tree maintenance being deferred.
A Pico neighbor e-mailed me, “The Pico Streetscape was completed about seven years ago. All the existing trees were ripped out for the uniform look of one species — London plane. Look at Pico now. The London planes are all leaning, many are misshapen and neglected looking. Basically maintenance is poor... The city will not fund proper tree maintenance..."
Other e-mails I’ve received hint at a dark, nerfarious plot: Warriner and City Manager, Lamont Ewell want to turn Santa Monica into a land of stumps. They say the city has no credibility. But, why would a eco-aware community that’s proud of its urban forest wage a hack and slash war on landscaping? But, this is kind of goofy logic I’ve come to expect from some of the well intentioned but more gonzo tree savers.
While most Santa Monicans are willing to leave trees to the experts, the tree-obsessed with their conflicting pronouncements, conspiracy theories and hysterical rants have "no cred”with me. I’d rather hear from a trained, professional arborist than an employment law attorney or a bumper sticker salesman.
Bottom line is that unsafe trees must be removed unless we all want people hurt and the city to pay out on costly injury and property damage lawsuits. Maybe these tree savers who advocate preserving diseased, compromised and unsafe trees will assume the financial liability when they come crashing down on someone’s car, house or person. Nope. Didn’t think so.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 12, 2008. Read the original PDF.