Outcry over cut trees
Several residents and Planning Commission members expressed dismay last night because the city had cut down a small group of eucalyptus trees on Hellman Avenue despite the historic landmark status given to the windgroves earlier this year.
Luana Hernandez, who lives on Hellman and took the photos at right, said she woke to the sound of chainsaws Wednesday morning. She was later notified by the city's Public Works Services director that the trees were diseased.
"As far as I'm concerned, and I'm not an arborist, but these are healthy looking trees," Hernandez said.
Commission members, serving as the Historic Preservation Commission, gave historic landmark status to 61 eucalyptus trees on Hellman between 19th Street and Base Line Road in August. The City Council later approved the designation, giving the trees an added layer of protection against street improvements and development.
However, the designation does not protect trees that are diseased and pose a public safety hazard.
But Commissioner Rich Fletcher said after viewing photos of the cut trees, he was skeptical they were diseased. Fletcher said city staff members "should have the courtesy" to inform the commission and residents about the tree removal.
"I'm embarrassed it happened shortly after we designated these trees. Whatever the procedure was, it was wrong," said Fletcher. "I would like to hear some excuses as to why it happened."
Impressive that people who know nothing about diseased trees can "just look at them" and see they are healthy. Don't people remember the diseased Eucalyptus tree that fell on a car in Newport this year?
The bigger issue is that residents or the Commission were not told about the urgency to cut the trees. Not if the trees were diseased or the need to cut them down. I am sure the City arborist had a good reason to cut them down. Unfortunately, the project was mismanaged, given the historic nature of the trees and the community involvement to designate the trees as a historic landmark.
Luana Hernandez, who lives on Hellman,
She should be so happpy that the trees did'nt fell over her o her property.
It happend all over in the big storm. Human life is worth more than a tree.
I just posted a comment. Where did ii go?