Trees Slated for Removal

By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

April 26 -- Santa Monica’s urban forest of more than 32,000 trees may be a little thinner by this time next year.

A risk assessment performed by the City identified 77 eucalyptus trees for removal and an additional 440 for trimming, because they pose a risk to the public.

Commonly called “widow makers,” because of their tendency for limb failures, a particular species of Eucalyptus tree have injured at least two people in the last year and caused damage to several properties in Santa Monica, according to Elaine Polacheck, the City’s Open Space manager.

“The fact that one person’s been hurt, means we have to address the problem,” she said.

Due to old industry standards that were not sufficient in keep the particular type of Eucalyptus tree in good health, the City contracted with an outside agency to undertake a massive pulse of the City’s Eucalyptus population of 517 trees, Polacheck said.

“We know a lot more now (about how to upkeep the trees) than we did back then,” said Polacheck, who noted that the City has instituted new standards to help keep the trees in good health.

The City’s community forest boasts more than 17 different eucalyptus species that total 863 eucalyptus trees, or 3 percent of the total tree population. Of these, 517 are mature eucalyptus trees located throughout the City, according to City officials.

Removals and trimmings will begin in May, and replanting of many of the trees -- with trees that do not exhibit the same characteristics as ones that were there before -- will start this fall. The replantings are scheduled to be finished in May of 2007, according to a City information item.

Polacheck said there will be a public outreach to residents through the media and a notice to neighbors who live near the affected trees, many of which are in clusters.

According to the information item, 14 trees on Broadway, between Centinela Avenue and 11th Street, will be removed. Eleven trees on Seventh Street, California Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard will be removed.

In Reed Park, seven trees are scheduled to be taken out, as well as six trees in Palisades Park and four trees in Joslyn Park.