Hellman eucalyptus topic of discussion
The topic of the Hellman Avenue eucalyptus trees resurfaced at last night's meeting.
Last week, the city cut down five blue gum eucalyptus trees, despite the trees having historic status. A group of residents who pushed for the historic status and at last two planning commissioners were upset that the tree removal took place without advanced notice.
Public Works and Services Director Bill Wittkopf told the City Council that an annual survey was recently conducted on all of the city's eucalyptus trees. Seven trees were discovered with severe health problems. Sulfur fungus were found on some trees, indicating decay.
According to Wittkopf, two city arborists and another independent arborist deemed the trees a public safety hazard. On a hazard rating scale from one to 12, with nine or higher indicating a hazard, six trees were rated 10 and one tree was rated 9.
Two of those trees are due to be removed after Jan. 1, Wittkopf said.
Councilman Chuck Buquet reminded the audience that the city did not only get a second opinion, it got a third opinion.
"While this is regrettable, it does get my attention when it's a 10," Buquet said, referring to the hazard scale.
Others on the City Council did not comment.
Luana Hernandez, a Hellman Avenue resident who first brought the issue up to the Planning Commission, said she thought it was a conflict of interest that the arborist who deemed the trees unhealthy was also the company hired to cut down the trees.
"When they tell me this tree is deemed unhealthy, I have a hard time understanding that," Hernandez said.
Hernandez said an arborist hired by a homeowner had deemed the trees healthy.
Last week, the city cut down five blue gum eucalyptus trees, despite the trees having historic status. A group of residents who pushed for the historic status and at last two planning commissioners were upset that the tree removal took place without advanced notice.
Public Works and Services Director Bill Wittkopf told the City Council that an annual survey was recently conducted on all of the city's eucalyptus trees. Seven trees were discovered with severe health problems. Sulfur fungus were found on some trees, indicating decay.
According to Wittkopf, two city arborists and another independent arborist deemed the trees a public safety hazard. On a hazard rating scale from one to 12, with nine or higher indicating a hazard, six trees were rated 10 and one tree was rated 9.
Two of those trees are due to be removed after Jan. 1, Wittkopf said.
Councilman Chuck Buquet reminded the audience that the city did not only get a second opinion, it got a third opinion.
"While this is regrettable, it does get my attention when it's a 10," Buquet said, referring to the hazard scale.
Others on the City Council did not comment.
Luana Hernandez, a Hellman Avenue resident who first brought the issue up to the Planning Commission, said she thought it was a conflict of interest that the arborist who deemed the trees unhealthy was also the company hired to cut down the trees.
"When they tell me this tree is deemed unhealthy, I have a hard time understanding that," Hernandez said.
Hernandez said an arborist hired by a homeowner had deemed the trees healthy.
I think if you would dig a little you would probably find Chuckie had a finger it this. I heard that there is some kind of development set for this area ???? How come no other council members had any thing to say.Hang on Rancho citizens Chuckie is just getting started.No conflict my butt!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I served on the historical preservation commission we noted that these tres were historical and thus could not be cut down. I would like to see how many other diseases such trees have been found in the city. I believe the city is one responsible for planting new ones.
How many trees will the City be planting as replacement trees as stated in a previous meeting? When will I see these like trees planted?
Why do articles like this don't specifically state where the trees are? A little detail left out? Hellman goes all the way from the foothills down to 4th St. That is a lot of street. This is the first time I've heard of this. Sure, some trees were blown down just above Banyan, obviously those had to be cut up.
The Hellman trees in question are between19th Street and Base Line Road. To answer your question, my blog entries are a supplement to the articles that are printed in the newspaper. Also if you did a search in the google tool box within the blog, you'll find the first entry written since the issue surfaced, which states the exact location of the trees.