Battling over a tree in Pacific Grove

An appeal of Pacific Grove's plan to cut down a 35-foot oak is being heard by the city's Beautification and Natural Resources Commission.

The commission is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council chambers for a special meeting.

The tree-cutting permit was also the subject of discussion at the panel's Jan. 28 meeting during which public testimony was divided.

The city arborist is recommending removal of the tree at 307 Wood Street because of "advanced internal problems."

The removal plan was appealed by Gibson Avenue residents Saschja and Peter Marseguerra, who say the tree is "a unique and beautiful wonder of nature that we should respect, not kill."

An arborist hired by a neighboring property owner concluded that removing the tree seemed "the most logical choice," but said it could be preserved with pruning, support and annual monitoring.

A resident whose home is under the tree, in an email, called upon the city to remove the tree for safety reasons. A couple who live a few homes away wrote that the tree, if deemed truly dangerous, should be removed, but it would be best to save it if possible.

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Battling over a tree in Pacific Grove