Appeal for Orange Grove Avenue Tree Removals

I would like to appeal the tree removal request of 1040 Orange Grove Avenue on the following grounds.

Response to Arborist's Conclusions

Reasonable Risk of Injury or Harm

(1) Where the tree poses a reasonable risk of injury or harm to persons or property or is substantially interfering with the structural integrity or the use of an existing structure (including, but not limited to, a fence or wall), swimming pool, or building and there is no feasible and reasonable alternative to mitigate the interference.

The trees are flawed and could cause significant injury to persons as the decayed portions of the bud can suddenly drop large clusters of diseased fronds. These trees are located directly over the front entrance and parking area in the driveway. The ‘pinched’ trunks are a weak point that are not capable of safely supporting the huge weight of the massive tree canopy especially since the trees are leaning and the weight is off-center.

The dead fronds can be removed which immediately mitigates the danger of them falling. There is no evidence that the living fronds are diseased or in danger of falling.

The pinch and the lean have been there for at least a decade supporting the same size mature canopy. In this time we have experienced significant rainstorms. Removing the weight of four years (growth seasons) of dieback (arborist demonstrated the last pruning was in 2020) will reduce the weight drastically bringing the canopy back in line with the weight it has supported with the pinch and the lean this entire time.

Conclusion: There is a feasible and reasonable alternative to mitigating the interference.

Diseased or Damaged or Threat to Persons or Property

(3) Where a written determination has been made by a certified arborist, after a visual inspection or scientific evaluation, that the tree is so diseased or damaged that it is no longer viable or is a threat to persons or property, including to other trees. The director or commission may waive the requirement for a certified arborist’s written statement when the tree can reasonably be determined to be dead by a layperson’s visual inspection or when, after conducting an inspection of the tree, the director determines that the tree poses an obvious and imminent threat to life or property.

There is evidence that the trees have both fungal issues at the base of the tree from grade disturbance as well as Fusarium dieback clearly evident in the canopy. Fusarium dieback is considered to be untreatable and fatal. Retention of these trees can also spread airborne spores and threaten nearby healthy trees.

The arborist's proof of Fusarium wilt is stated in the following two statements:

The crown of the trees appear to have Fusarium dieback

You can see how the tree on the right side has a pocket where the fronds are noticeably discolored (dark) and are falling off the tree prematurely.

There is genuinely no darkness let alone any coloration difference whatsoever in the photo or in person on the "right side" of the tree from any interpretation of "right side".

I reached out to the arborist. The phone call was forwarded and he texted immediately "Please text me."

I promptly introduced myself via text message as a South Pasadena resident that has reviewed his report and asked the following:

I see that you have said that one of the trees is suffering from Fusarium wilt although I cannot see in the photos or in person where the "noticeably discolored" pocket of fronds is located. Is there any other criteria by which you made this diagnosis?

I have received no response 24 hours later.

Characteristic Symptoms of Fusarium Wilt

Raj Singh, D.P.M. of the Department of Plant Pathology at the LSU College of Agriculture states in a document titled "Fusarium Wilt of Canary Island Date Palm":

The characteristic symptoms of Fusarium wilt include one-sided death of the fronds or palm leaves. Initially, the leaflets on the other side of the infected frond stay green, but eventually the whole frond dies and desiccates.

and

Reddish-brown streaks appear on the rachis of affected fronds.

The above photo is an example of one-sided death that can be found in the LSU document linked below.

www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/5/e/e/c/5eeca4db5b91d54c332ff1436a6f1b95/pub3472fusariumwilt1115.pdf

Applicant's Tree No. 2

The arborist has not shown and there cannot be seen a single frond present anywhere in the canopy that shows the characteristic one-sided wilt.

The rachi (stems) of the dead fronds show no unusual streaking and the arborist makes no mention of such. The rachi of the living fronds are obscured from view. Fronds have fallen and as of December 16 there is at least one lying on the ground next to palm No. 2 that could be studied.

Fungal Issues From Grade Disturbance

The grade was changed fairly recently and there are no photos depicting the "fungal issues at the base of the tree". If present it is most likely small and superficial and would be easily corrected by bringing the grade back to normal allowing the base of the tree to dry.

Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to support that the tree is diseased and no longer viable or a threat to persons or property.

Replacement Plan

Significance

Not a single replacement species is capable of growing to a "significant" size as per our tree code (12" DBH or greater). Thus this property will never again possess the requirement to replace in the future. Two significant trees will be replaced with zero significant trees. The species selection represents a devaluing of our city's tree canopy.

Placement

34.12(e) states "The replacement tree sizes and species must be clearly identified"

The replacement plan does not correctly depict mature canopy sizes. As a result they are placed incorrectly on the property.

The Palo Verde (No. 2 on replacement plan) is positioned 7' from the house and 5' from the driveway. Its mature canopy is 20-25' in diameter and is not a tall enough species to be lifted 6-8' for vehicle access without creating a lopsided and unappealling canopy.

The Japanese Maple (No. 13), the largest replacement, may approach 12" DBH under optimal conditions. The mature canopy can grow to 30' in diameter. It is placed 4' from the the South property line and 4' from the East property line. The East property line is lined with 50'+ tall Arborvitae. The Maple that wants to grow 15' in each direction has 4' of space. It will grow unsafely as a result and become a hazard long before it reaches 12" DBH.

The Gala Apple (No. 9) requires at least 600 chill hours to succeed. South Pasadena is lucky to receive half that during the coldest winter. There isn't a single place on the property that will allow this tree to thrive. A trick to increase chill hours is to ensure that the tree receives winter shade. Even though that trick likely would not sufficiently compensate for the lack of chill hours in our region the tree has been placed in a prime sunny location.

The replacement plan was not reviewed by an arborist.

34.12(f) allows for "A certified arborist review of the tree plan, if required by the director."

The replacement plan was not reviewed by the city arborist.

Community

I knocked on the eleven closest neighbors' doors and ultimately spoke to eight of them.

Only one was aware of the pending removal. That person is opposed and sent a public comment in opposition during the appeal. Another was not aware but was also opposed.

The rest of the neighbors are fine with the removal of the palms.

When asked about replacements not a single neighbor had any ideas. "Leafy" was one person's input but most were genuinely uncertain how to respond to that question. I explained the replacement plan and all but one were unfamiliar with the species.

When I described the Palo Verde's lack of leafiness to one neighbor their response was negative.

The one neighbor that was familiar with Crepe Myrtle had planted the species themselves and were regretful. They stated that they regret not having invested in an oak. I asked where they got the idea to plant Crepe Myrtle and they stated that they asked the city and the city said "There's a lot of people planting that in your area."

There are large trees and oaks of all maturities present in a three block radius standing next to houses of similar massing on properties of similar scale.

Desired Outcome

The contractor that has quoted or been hired to remove the trees can begin the job by pruning the dead fronds. They can use spurs, the simpler method of climbing, as the intentions are for eventual removal. This will fully solve the immediate danger of falling fronds and relieve a great deal of weight alleviating the other dangers posed by the lean and pinches.

The applicant may then take the time to go through a proper implementation of their replacement plan according to 34.11(a)(4):

(4) For the removal of a significant or mature tree, where the proposed replacement tree(s) are of greater value or provide greater benefits than the tree proposed for removal.

The environmental commission requested significant replacements that took into consideration ecological benefits. This request was ignored.

The local stakeholders as well as all members of the greater community deserve to have the value of our canopy upheld.

Precedent

I believe this removal represents a worrying trend in the City of Trees whereby dubious hazard claims undermine due process and ultimately lead to a reduction and devaluing of our city's tree canopy.

I believe staff, not just in public works but also during planning, lack leadership in this area.

March 1998 the South Pasadena Review wrote:

The National Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit education organization dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship, officially recognized South Pasadena as a Tree City U.S.A. during last week's city council meeting.

Please take the time to get this right a quarter century later so that South Pasadena can continue its tradition of excellence when it comes to tree planting and environmental stewardship.

Thank you,
Angelo Gladding
1856 Hanscom Drive