After spending a day in a tree on E Avenue in Coronado, resident Dan'l Steward came down after city officials said they would stay the cutting of the trees until further discussion with residents.

CORONADO Two men protesting the removal of trees on a residential street in Coronado were back on the ground Tuesday after spending the night in the branches, and work to fell the eucalyptus has halted until the matter can be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

Neighbors rallied Tuesday at the foot of the tree where Danl Steward, a Coronado resident for 16 years, had perched since early Monday to call attention to how the city decided to remove four sugar gum eucalyptus trees on E Avenue. Steward was joined by Ryan Gillespie, who hung a hammock in another tree Monday night. The city said the trees are a hazard and have to come down.

The protest drew Mayor Casey Tanaka to the tree Monday evening, where he and Steward agreed on involving the community in future decisions about tree removal. Before descending the tree Tuesday morning, Steward told those gathered that the protest succeeded.

We lost two trees yesterday, and the city was scheduled to come back and cut this tree and the remaining tree, he said. Today, they have canceled that activity.

Steward acknowledged that the two trees still targeted by the city may yet come down because of safety concerns, but was pleased the community will have a voice going forward.

We take issue with the fact we were not involved, he said. We dont understand what the process was and, more importantly, what the options were or were not.

Residents were unaware the trees were being targeted for removal until the city delivered notifications to their homes earlier this month. Neighbors were upset that the decision to fell the trees was made by the city behind closed doors.

The City Council discussed the trees in closed sessions June 17 and Aug. 19. City Manager Blair King said the matter fell under the category of anticipated litigation after the city received a complaint from a resident in May. The states open meeting law allows for litigation to be discussed privately.

Agendas from those two meetings list one potential case of anticipated litigation, and minutes note only that the mayor reported out from closed session that direction was given to city staff members.

More:
Protest halts removal of trees

After spending a day in a tree on E Avenue in Coronado, resident Dan'l Steward came down after city officials said they would stay the cutting of the trees until further discussion with residents.

CORONADO Two men protesting the removal of trees on a residential street in Coronado were back on the ground Tuesday after spending the night in the branches, and work to fell the eucalyptus has halted until the matter can be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

Neighbors rallied Tuesday at the foot of the tree where Danl Steward, a Coronado resident for 16 years, had perched since early Monday to call attention to how the city decided to remove four sugar gum eucalyptus trees on E Avenue. Steward was joined by Ryan Gillespie, who hung a hammock in another tree Monday night. The city said the trees are a hazard and have to come down.

The protest drew Mayor Casey Tanaka to the tree Monday evening, where he and Steward agreed on involving the community in future decisions about tree removal. Before descending the tree Tuesday morning, Steward told those gathered that the protest succeeded.

We lost two trees yesterday, and the city was scheduled to come back and cut this tree and the remaining tree, he said. Today, they have canceled that activity.

Steward acknowledged that the two trees still targeted by the city may yet come down because of safety concerns, but was pleased the community will have a voice going forward.

We take issue with the fact we were not involved, he said. We dont understand what the process was and, more importantly, what the options were or were not.

Residents were unaware the trees were being targeted for removal until the city delivered notifications to their homes earlier this month. Neighbors were upset that the decision to fell the trees was made by the city behind closed doors.

The City Council discussed the trees in closed sessions June 17 and Aug. 19. City Manager Blair King said the matter fell under the category of anticipated litigation after the city received a complaint from a resident in May. The states open meeting law allows for litigation to be discussed privately.

Agendas from those two meetings list one potential case of anticipated litigation, and minutes note only that the mayor reported out from closed session that direction was given to city staff members.

Read more from the original source:
Protest halts removal of trees in Coronado

Almanac

News - September 24, 2014

by Sandy Brundage

A group of residents had decried the removal of the tree on short notice, but arborist Brian Henry explained that the pine was falling down at an ever-increasing rate, creating a safety hazard that obviated the need for a 15-day advance notice.

The city was alerted to the hazard by another resident, who noticed that the tall pine tree had started to lean. The anchoring roots had torn and risen up through the soil, allowing the tree to tilt over the park's water fountain, lawn and walking area, Mr. Henry told the residents. The city decided to proceed with the removal when the tree's lean increased over a short span of five hours.

The tree may be gone, but its wood will live on. The city plans to recycle the pine for use in other projects, Mr. Henry said.

On Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled discuss ways to re-use the pine's wood. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Menlo Park Senior Center at 110 Terminal Ave.

Comments

There are no comments yet for this post

See the rest here:
Tree protest ends peacefully; tree cut down for safety

CORONADO (CBS 8) - A temporary resolution is reached in a neighborhood dispute that drove one man up a tree. A Coronado man spent the night in a tree to protest the city's plans to remove them. For now -- they'll stay up, so he came down.

"I'm Dan'l Steward, I'm a reluctant tree hugger," he said.

If you build it, they will come. In this case, if you climb it, they will watch.

"There was only one recourse that I saw to preserve the trees, so I am here," protester Dan'l Steward said.

Retired Navy SEAL, Dan'l Steward, spent the night tethered to a century-old Eucalyptus tree in front of his Coronado home to stop the city from cutting down a piece of history.

Young and old, a group of roughly 50 supporters rallied at the foot of the tree Tuesday morning.

"They're so beautiful and not only do we respect," Coronado High School junior, Cheyne Ostrander said.

They're objecting to the city's decision to remove four old-growth trees. To give you some perspective, Woodrow Wilson was the President when the 100 year old trees were planted.

"We're concerned because they've been here since 1971," Coronado resident, Tom Watson said.

Officials say there is a risk of the historic trees' large branches falling and causing damage to the 100 block of E Avenue,which is known to residents as, "the street with the kissing trees."

See original here:
Rally for man living in tree to protest city removal

After careful review and consideration of public safety concerns, the City has decided to remove four of the 18 mature Sugar Gum eucalyptus trees from the public right of way in the 100 block of E Avenue.

The nearly 60-foot-tall trees provide beauty and shade but they also pose an unacceptable risk to public safety.The City has worked tirelessly to maintain its urban forest of more than 8,700 trees that grow on public areas, including parkways. Coronado became a Tree City USA in 1984 for its active urban forest management program and, in 1993, formed the Street Tree Committee to provide input to the City Council and educate the public on the role trees play in the urban environment. The Committee also maintains the Tree Master Plan and a list of approved street trees.

Coronado actively monitors, maintains and inspects its trees, particularly the larger ones. The City does not treat tree removals lightly. However, public safety is the Citys highest priority.

Eucalyptus trees are known to drop branches in the summer or to fall over without warning. Several California cities have had serious injuries, even deaths, due to falling trees and limbs. With some limbs weighing hundreds of pounds and trees more than a ton, the risk of keeping the four trees is considerable and not worth taking.

In response to a concerned resident, the City conducted an assessment of its 31 eucalyptus trees. The Citys certified arborist found that all but four trees in the 100 block of E Avenue presented a low level of risk. The four exceptions presented a risk calling for their removal. The arborist found that wind gusts of 30 mph could overcome the load bearing capacity of the trees. Trees eventually need to be removed and replaced toward the end of their useful life in the landscape. The four trees to be removed were found to have one or more of the following conditions: decay; recent trunk failure; multiple co-dominant trunks; poor structure with decayed wounds; irregular decay patterns; reduced tree crowns.

Within a few weeks, the trees will be removed. Careful maintenance over the life of a tree can reduce hazards. The City will prune several of the remaining eucalyptus trees to improve their health and lower the risk of the trees falling or losing limbs.

Residents who live on or around the 100 block of E Avenue have been notified via a hand-delivered notification letter. A meeting will be held for local residents on Wednesday, Sept. 10, to address questions and concerns.City staff will discuss the matter of replacement possibilities at the Citys Street Tree Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11, to obtain the committees recommendation for the selection of any new trees. The City Council has requested that another species of eucalyptus be considered. The community is invited to attend.

Read the original post:
City Plans Eucalyptus Tree Removal

Great Falls, VA (PRWEB) September 23, 2014

Vics Tree Service is excited to offer customers 15 percent off tree removal and all tree services from September until November 2014. As northern Virginias comprehensive tree expert, Vics has served residents of Arlington, Alexandria, Great Falls, and surrounding areas since 1978.

We hope our loyal customers take full advantage of this annual fall promotion, said Vic Price, owner of Vics Tree Service. Our customers are the core of our business, and this 15 percent discount is one small way were saying thank you.

Vic's Tree Service is a full service tree company, and offers tree removal, tree trimming, general landscape cleanup, and fertilization. With more than 35 years of experience, Vics is dedicated to safely preserving the integrity and beauty of trees.

Learn more about Vics Tree Service at http://www.vicstreeservice.com.

About Vic's Tree Service

Vics Tree Service caters to the residents of Northern Virginia in the form of excellent tree care and maintenance. They specialize in enhancing the aesthetic and functional value of their customers landscape, while simultaneously improving the health of their trees. They are fully licensed and insured, and provide exceptional service around the clock. For more information about Vics Tree Service, please visit http://www.vicstreeservice.com.

Read the original post:
Vic's Tree Service of Northern Virginia Announces Fall 2014 Promotion

Published: September 22, 2014 | Last Modified: September 22, 2014 11:23PM

By Eric Vo Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD Phase two of the tree planting program is underway, as contractors began cutting down the 38 pear and oak trees in downtown Wallingford Monday two weeks before Celebrate Wallingford.

Starting from the top of Center Street by Simpson Court, contractors from New Haven-based Paradise Landscaping Tree Service made their way down the road cutting down the trees marked for removal.

The trees were planted in the mid-1990s along Center Street from Route 5 to North Main Street. Earlier this month, Public Works Director Henry McCully decided to remove the trees, despite opposition from the public.

McCully is on vacation until Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

The trees couldnt be removed until the town received an encroachment permit from the state Department of Transportation. Officials from Wallingford Center Inc. asked town officials to wait to remove the trees until after Celebrate Wallingford, which will be held Oct. 4-5.

Im disappointed, WCI Executive Director Liz Landow said Monday. Theyre down two weeks before Celebrate Wallingford.

Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said the trees had to be removed sooner because the town had a time frame to follow.

If we waited until after Celebrate Wallingford, it would not be enough time to take the trees down and plant them, Dickinson said. They have to be planted by the third week of October.

Continued here:
Center Street tree removal begins in Wallingford

By Derek Staahl

Story Published: Sep 22, 2014 at 6:54 PM PDT

Story Updated: Sep 22, 2014 at 11:00 PM PDT

CORONADO -- The city of Coronado has started cutting down eucalyptus trees that have been rooted in one neighborhood for more than 100 years, prompting one man to plant himself among the branches.

"Let's have the dialogue," said Dan'l Steward from his perch about 15 feet above the ground. "I'm trying to create another window."

City crews began trimming back or removing all the eucalyptus trees on E Avenue Monday, after a resident complained the aging trees were a safety concern.

"A giant limb from one of these trees fell when my wife was coming back from a run, and it almost killed her," Mike Chase said of the 2013 incident.

The city dispatched an arborist to the neighborhood who agreed -- the trees are a liability concern.

Another E Avenue resident, Scott Wertz, says if the old eucalyptus have to go, he wants to see them replaced with other eucalyptus.

Originally posted here:
Man climbs eucalyptus to protest city tree-removal project

16 Pine Tree Removal Quote 9/18/14
Oakland county michigan tree removal service 16 pine trees remove tell this professional services.

By: Keith Kalfas

See the original post here:
16 Pine Tree Removal Quote 9/18/14 - Video

FLORENCE If a tree falls in the township, does anyone hear it?

The residents of Boulevard Street sure do, but they feel local officials are deaf to their concerns.

The municipality has been removing trees as part of its project to repave the street and fix curbs and sidewalks. It received a grant for the work, which includes Boulevard Street from Front to Fifth streets.

John T. Smith, who has lived on Boulevard Street for 47 years, said the township is removing a lot of old trees that give the street its character. According to resident David Dimon, as many as 27 trees have been taken out.

After hearing residents concerns, Mayor Craig Wilkie, Township Councilman Jerry Sandusky, Township Engineer Anthony LaRosa and Assistant Township Administrator Tom Sahol met with homeowners to discuss the project.

Smith was not satisfied with the response he got.

The tree removal has destroyed the character of the street, he said.

Smith believes municipal workers are chopping down the trees, some taller than the three-story Victorian homes that line the neighborhood, because they dont want to work around them.

But after a professional arborist surveyed the area and reported that a number of trees were diseased, the township had no choice but to cut them down, officials said.

The trees are in such a state of decline that, in all likelihood in the very near future, we could see a failure of the tree, Sahol said. While the work is taking place, the opportunity is now to remove these safety hazards so that we can reinstall as many trees as possible to give the character of Boulevard Street back to what it should be.

Read this article:
Florence residents upset with tree removal