As preparations continue for lava possibly inundating Pahoa, some area residents are bristling about a plan to cut down three trees near the Pahoa Senior Center to make room for fire trucks.

Fire department officials say the move is necessary so they can maintain a presence in lower Puna if the lava flow crosses Highway 130, cutting off access to the region.

About 20 residents gathered Monday morning around the trees, located between the senior center and the Pahoa Community Center. They held signs and blocked contractors with Arborist Services LLC from cutting the trees down.

Shortly after arriving and finding the protesters there, the workers packed up their chainsaws and left, according to Toby Hazel, who alerted several of her friends about the plans to cut down the trees.

Its over the line, at this point, to cut down the trees. I dont know that I totally understand the reason for it, she said.

The fire department asked Parks and Recreation to cut down the trees and erect a chainlink fence around the parking area to protect two fire trucks, an ambulance and a tanker truck, explained Deputy Fire Chief Renwick Victorino.

We need to make sure those apparatuses dont get damaged. We cant park the apparatuses in the bay because we need to install an exhaust system before were allowed to do so, and with the lava about to inundate Highway 130, that wont give us enough time. Its required for the safety of the firefighters, he said.

The possibility of falling branches damaging the equipment also is a concern, as is vandalism and/or theft. The root systems of the trees also necessitates their removal, in order to place the fencing in the ground, he said.

If we dont have the apparatus to respond, that could be a problem, he said.

Hazel said she was glad to see the contractor back down Monday, and she plans to organize a petition to save the trees. She also hopes to bring the subject up at Thursday afternoons lava meeting at Pahoa High School.

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Tree removal plan draws protest: Demonstrators halt attempt to cut down monkey pods as Fire Department makes plans to ...

Oklahoma is continuing its fight against the invasive eastern red cedar tree.

The tree, which is common in Oklahoma, is extremely flammable due to its tree oil.

This is an Oklahoman problem, state Rep. Richard Morrisette said. I know we can tackle this in the upcoming session.

Morrisette is recommending cities and local municipalities partner with the Department of Corrections and make use of non-violent inmates to do the work. He believes their labor can offset the cost of tree removal.

The city of Owasso has implemented similar practices.

Weve partnered with DOC since 1991, John Feary said.

Some people have expressed concern over the use of inmates but lawmakers and Feary said, if done correctly, there is no public safety threat.

No inmate is left alone unsupervised. Theyre checked every 30 minutes, Feary said. All the inmates and the workers that I've had interaction with, none of them are violent offenders and they dont have flight risks.

Lawmakers continue to monitor the eastern red cedar situation and continue to brainstorm ways to eliminate the estimated 442 million trees in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma County has not made use of inmates to remove any of the trees but it is currently participating in a program to remove red cedars.

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Lawmaker looks to inmates to cut down trees

Trees benefit us in many ways, but it's important to remember they can also cause major damage or grief when limbs, or the whole tree, fall on power lines, houses, cars or people.

In general, it's always a good idea to inspect trees at least annually, particularly older trees which may have accumulated multiple defects or decay or have been topped in the past, and especially before and after storms.

There are specific warning signs we can learn to recognize and watch for. Here are a few:

Trees that lean

Trees don't always grow straight up, but a tree that recently started to lean can have problems. Check for cracked soil or exposed roots around the base of the tree, indicating a tree that has recently begun to lean.

More than one trunk

Some trees develop multiple trunks. Inspect these trees for cracks or splits where the trunks are joined. Splits, cracks, or several branches arising from the same point on the trunk can also become problems. Limbs that are safely attached tend to be "U-shaped" rather than "V-shaped."

Cavities and decay pockets

If there are mushrooms on or near the base of the tree, consult an arborist. Large decay pockets on the tree, or mushrooms or conks growing on or at the base of a tree are signs of decay-causing fungus. A consulting arborist can tell you whether a tree with fungi needs to be removed, pruned or merely monitored.

Hangers and deadwood

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Recognizing when trees are hazardous

PLANS to fell a mature sycamore tree in a leafy Darlington street have been given the go-ahead, attracting criticism from nearby residents.

Permission has been granted to fell the sycamore tree, which stands in the front garden of a property on Elton Parade, in Darlington, and work is due to begin later this month.

As the tree is located within a conservation area, the homeowner had to notify Darlington Borough Council of their intention to undertake work on the tree and permission was granted on August 6.

The tree is not subject to a tree preservation order the highest protection given to trees by a local authority.

Following an inspection, an arborist said the tree is causing subsidence to the property and boundary wall, which is now in need of repair.

In a report prepared for council officials, he said: I do recommend removal of the tree or pollarding which will slow down root growth and prevent sub-level damage and retrain tree.

The homeowner, who did not wish to be named, said the tree had grown considerably over recent years and had now become a danger to the public.

It has made terrific growth over the last few years. I couldn't see the tree from the back of the house, now it is right over the top," she said.

It is interfering with drains and I have got water coming in down the side of the masonry.

I think it is a danger to the public. I am sorry to see it go myself but it is one of those things you have to do.

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Residents criticise decision to fell large sycamore tree in leafy Darlington street

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SAFETY HARBOR City commissioners are working as fast as they can to protect trees.

Elected leaders told city staffers Monday to start drafting language for a moratorium on tree removal while they finish work on an ordinance that strengthens existing tree protection rules. The moratorium would expire April 1 unless the new tree ordinance is passed sooner.

The proposed ban comes amid protests over last month's removal of 14 trees by the privately owned Safety Harbor Resort and Spa to make way for a parking lot.

Safety Harbor's current ordinance protects only grand trees of a certain size. So the resort, which city officials say had been considering the project since at least 2005, applied for and was granted permission from Pinellas County. The spa is now pursuing permits to cut down 13 more trees it says are dead, dying or hazardous.

The project has fueled weeks of protests by a vocal contingent of residents who call the destruction of healthy trees an affront to the environment and the city's charm. They picketed in front of the spa, gathered nearly 400 petition signatures and called for a temporary ban.

About 80 people roughly 50 of them tree advocates who chanted with signs in front of the spa before marching to City Hall to wave at honking motorists packed commission chambers Monday for the moratorium discussion.

Nearly 20 people publicly spoke in favor of the moratorium, which would not be applied retroactively to the spa or any other application pending before the county. It also would not prohibit the removal of trees the county defines as dead or diseased or those that pose a risk to the public's health and safety.

"Are we going to sell out to the developers and let them determine the makeup of what the city looks like?" asked Dave Conkle.

Three opponents, though, decried the ban's potential impact on the property rights of individual homeowners who would be barred from simple jobs like installing a backyard pool. They also feared harassment from neighbors who might disagree with an arborist's assessment of a dead or dying tree on their property.

Commissioners Richard Blake and Carlos Diaz initially sided with the dissenters.

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Safety Harbor proposes tree removal moratorium

Review file photo

San Mateo County officials have a new plan that includes pruning and removing some trees in the land surrounding the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

Posted: Thursday, October 9, 2014 11:19 am

Planning Commission to consider Fitzgerald tree removal By Julia Reis [ julia@hmbreview.com ] Half Moon Bay Review |

The San Mateo County Planning Commission will consider a plan this morning that would result in the removal of 62 trees from the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve grove.

The proposal from the San Mateo County Parks Department is an amended version of a plan first announced in January. Thats when the department held a meeting to discuss its vegetation management plan for the Moss Beach recreation spot. The plan came under fire from some Coastsiders both for the number of trees slated for removal and over concerns about heavy equipment that might be used.

The 28 live trees and 34 dead trees that would be removed with the Planning Commissions approval are fewer than originally proposed. In January, San Mateo County Parks Director Marlene Finley estimated that eight live trees and most of a group of 134 dead trees would be cut down to improve visitors safety and the health of the forest.

Those remain the same reasons for the current proposal, Finley said.

We heard from the public that we should make sure to keep aesthetics in mind whats trimmed and whats taken out, she said.

An additional 56 live trees would be trimmed under this plan. Of the trees being removed or trimmed, 19 are eucalyptus trees all of which would be removed and the rest are cypress trees. The work would take place before early November.

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Planning Commission to consider Fitzgerald tree removal

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