Man climbs eucalyptus to protest city tree-removal project

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.

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Man climbs eucalyptus to protest city tree-removal project