Ficus tree issue spreads to Temple City
I don't know if the merchants in Temple City have been paying attention to the city's removal of ficus trees along Colorado Boulevard or not, but all of a sudden they want something done about their trees. They are requesting the trees be pruned to grow in a taller, more "spindly" form- some other ficus trees in the city apparently grow that way. The city is not sure this can be accomplished and its arborists are recommending removal. From the city manager's weekly update (via our regular TC reporter Alfred Lee):
"We have received a letter requesting removal or severe trimming of the Ficus trees on Las Tunas Dr, east of Kauffman Ave.
a) The merchants claim that these trees block their store fronts and advertising signs, and in many cases, are root-bound or spreading into the sidewalks. They want the trees abated or pruned back and allowed to re-grow as taller spindly trees similar to the ficus trees west of Kauffman Ave.
b) The Public Services Dept. has informed me that drastically changing the direction of growth of a mature tree does not make for a healthy tree, and that the new growth is weak , spindly, and more likely at risk of dropping limbs.
c) The arborists tell me that it would be better to take them all out and start over with young trees. Taking them out would involve a lot of sidewalk replacement to get out the roots.
d) The cost would be substantial either way. Let me know what you want to do.
UNDER THE DOME
|
| Pasadena -- news, politics and gossip. Send tips, rumors, rants to Dan Abendschein dan.abendschein@sgvn.com. |
2 Comments
Leave a comment