Citizens of Pacific Grove, CA have been fighting for three months to save their 100 year old American Elm tree. The fate of the Elm has been forestalled until 12/16/21 as the Superior Court has given us a time extension in which to submit records that were with held from us by the City of Pacific Grove until the last minute . The transcriptions of these records, which must be created from videos of 2 City Council meetings and 1 Beautification and Natural Resource Commission meeting, alone, will cost $5000 .
Pacific Grove Public Works has permission to cut down this heritage tree to make way for a new sidewalk. This is unacceptable. The City of Pacific Grove City Council has already voted to cut down this mature 100 year old healthy American Elm tree, citing risks attributed to root growth creating a trip hazard and fear of litigation should the healthy tree fall at some point.
It's that curb where the tree was getting in the way of a new sidewalk the city wants to construct that prompted the city to seek removal of the Elm over the summer. The Director of Public Works now claims that the roots are decayed and therefore unsound when no assessment of the condition of the roots has been made.
This is in conflict with more than one independent arborist opinion:
"My opinion of the tree is that, judging by its bark and green foliage, the elm appears to be healthy and growing vigorously," stated Frank Ono, who has worked as an arborist for the city in the past. He said the tree also appears to be stable, calling the tree's lean to the west "slight." Other problems with the tree are not enough to condemn it, he said, adding there are mitigations to correct potential issues. He also suggested that the curb the tree butts up against "can be reconfigured artistically with a slight curve to accommodate the tree."
Timing is critical, citizens have been fighting but so far have only been able to delay the removal a week or two at a time. We need funds to continue the legal fight. What can you do? 1. Most importantly, please donate now to our Gofundme and help support environment preservation. We need every mature tree. 2. Keep up the pressure! Tell the city that removing a mature healthy tree is not acceptable and town citizens expect the city to attend to the tree to assure its stability. Email citycouncil@cityo
Thank you for your environmental stewardship, your support means we can keep public officials accountable and responsible. You can help. Thank you.
Pacific Grove Public Works has permission to cut down this heritage tree to make way for a new sidewalk. This is unacceptable. The City of Pacific Grove City Council has already voted to cut down this mature 100 year old healthy American Elm tree, citing risks attributed to root growth creating a trip hazard and fear of litigation should the healthy tree fall at some point.
It's that curb where the tree was getting in the way of a new sidewalk the city wants to construct that prompted the city to seek removal of the Elm over the summer. The Director of Public Works now claims that the roots are decayed and therefore unsound when no assessment of the condition of the roots has been made.
This is in conflict with more than one independent arborist opinion:
"My opinion of the tree is that, judging by its bark and green foliage, the elm appears to be healthy and growing vigorously," stated Frank Ono, who has worked as an arborist for the city in the past. He said the tree also appears to be stable, calling the tree's lean to the west "slight." Other problems with the tree are not enough to condemn it, he said, adding there are mitigations to correct potential issues. He also suggested that the curb the tree butts up against "can be reconfigured artistically with a slight curve to accommodate the tree."
Timing is critical, citizens have been fighting but so far have only been able to delay the removal a week or two at a time. We need funds to continue the legal fight. What can you do? 1. Most importantly, please donate now to our Gofundme and help support environment preservation. We need every mature tree. 2. Keep up the pressure! Tell the city that removing a mature healthy tree is not acceptable and town citizens expect the city to attend to the tree to assure its stability. Email citycouncil@cityo
Thank you for your environmental stewardship, your support means we can keep public officials accountable and responsible. You can help. Thank you.