Public Comment for Orange Grove Avenue and Diamond Avenue Tree Removals
In reply to: South Pasadena Natural Resources and Environmental Commission -- December 2, 2024 Agenda
Commissioners, please take the following into consideration. Thank you.
1040 Orange Grove Ave
These Canary Island Palms do not have a "diseased dieback" and are not suffering from Fusarium Wilt.
One-Sided Frond Death
The characteristic symptoms of Fusarium wilt include one-sided death of the fronds or palm leaves (Figure 1). Initially, the leaflets on the other side of the infected frond stay green (Figure 2), but eventually the whole frond dies and desiccates.
Reddish-brown streaks appear on the rachis of affected fronds.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Applcant's Specimens
There is not a single identifiable frond (living or dead) with the characteristic one-sided wilt. The canopies are symmetrical in their living fronds and dieback as is typical of a healthy palm.
Boots (the stub of a pruned front left on after pruning) falling off the bud is a natural part of the lifecycle of a healthy palm. Plants growing in the nooks between boots is common and does not in and of itself indicate decay.
Lean
The ever so slight lean is corrected immediately above the cutoff of the arborist's photo.
Other Specimens From Around the City
Note the dieback, the tapers that appear to be from a similar time period (probably a severe drought), the missing boots and the plants growing out of the boots.
Applicant's Front Yard
There is room for an oak to be planted near the sidewalk, in place of the pathway, in between the front door and the street. An Engelmann Oak or Blue Oak would be smaller than a Coast Live Oak but any could be made to fit in the space.
The existing elm is an invasive with mild allelopathy (discourages other plants from growing) that has been topped and will continue to be a maintenance burden to the city for the rest of its life while looking unnattural with a flattened top. It can provide protection for a fledgling oak and encourage vertical growth. When the oak becomes large enough to interact with the elm the elm could be removed to allow the oak to maximize its growth horizontally over the sidewalk and eventually over the street while remaining balanced.
If left alone the oak will grow to be a large shrub in the first 20 years that will provided lush privacy for the front door and windows. A certified arborist can help maintain a single leader while minimizing cuts and maximizing growth.
A native sugar bush shrub could be planted on the south side of the property to add diversity and coverage. They can live for over a hundred years.
Applicant's Back Yard
There is a row of arborvitae on the property adjacent to the applicant's. This completely blocks all early morning sun until noon. They are planted too close together. The species is generally considered to be a fire hazard due to its high resin content, dense foliage and dry interior branches. They are especially dangerous adjacent to structures. That property owner is currently constructing an ADU adjacent to the arborvitae (as shown in the third photo).
I'm sure the privacy is welcome, especially considering the new development project. However, the scale is just too much. With a pruning and thinning of the hedge privacy could be maintained, beneficial early sun could be let in and at least some of the neighborhood's magnificent old growth canopy would be seen from the rear second-story deck.
The additional light and space would not only benefit your family's early morning backyard activities but also allow for an oak and a pine to be placed in the back yard. A pair of toyons (another long-lived native shrub) could be placed near the rear property line to grow into a hedge that would allow for the eventual removal of the arborvitae while preserving privacy and renativizing the space with all of the benefits that come from such an endeavour.
A grey pine is a good example of a native drought-tolerant pine that grows more vertically than horizontally and there's ample room for a coast live oak.
Surrounding Area
Birds nesting in an untopped old growth tree.
A sad street tree limbed up, unwatered and beneath the power lines. Street trees beneath power lines should be a nonstarter.
Oaks will find a way.
Liontailed or lollipopped crepe myrtles are neither trees nor shrubs. Replacement trees need to be cared for according to ISA standards.
Mighty oaks can coexist with homes.
The old growth canopy that surrounds the applicant's home.
1108 Diamond Ave
Overpruned & Pruned Incorrectly
Was there a permit for trimming? more than 10% was removed from both oak trees. This violates our tree code. Did a certified arborist perform the trimming? Large cuts were made incorrectly on what were already very small canopies.
Insurance Related Claims
What was the order of events? Was a claim made first or was it a cancellation notice out of nowhere. Did the pruning come after the cancellation notice? Has a new insurance company inspected the property and found no problem? Our city needs to better understand these insurance related tree hazard claims.
Root Flare
The root flares are clearly buried. What is a "loose soil" measurement when the flare is 12-18 inches below grade?
Where is a photo of "roots uplifting the soil area"? If the root flare is buried then the soil around the base of the tree will take the shape of the last person who raked soil over it. Uplifting typically reveals cracks in the clay.
The status of the roots are the primary factor when assessing the stability of a leaning tree.
Trunk Stress
Where is a photo of "signs of stress observed at the base on the tension side of the tree"? There doesn't appear to be any visible issues with the trunk at all.
Replacement Plan
In the City of Trees removed oaks should be replaced on-site with oaks. Oaks should be prioritized over lawns every single time.
Angelo Gladding
1856 Hanscom Drive