City Plans Eucalyptus Tree 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.

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City Plans Eucalyptus Tree Removal