In May of 2019, Laura Overett submitted a tree removal permit application for the removal of 27 non-native eucalyptus trees located in the southeast quadrant of her property. Despite the applicant having recently experienced the fall of a very tall eucalyptus tree and associated destruction of property due to a storm, the then Acting City Forester and Forest and Beach Commission denied the application. The application was appealed to the City Council and was approved by the Council with special conditions that have been, and are continuing to be, met by the applicant.
On March 12, 2020, Ms. Overett submitted a new application to permit the removal of 17 additional eucalyptus trees located in the southwest corner of her property which abuts the north westerly portion of the ecologically-sensitive North Dunes Habitat Restoration site. Similar to the first grove of eucalyptus trees, this second grove of trees has become very large and pose a potential safety concern for the applicant. These trees also deposit a considerable amount of seed onto the North Dunes site which introduces damaging, non-native and harmful seedlings or sprouts in the North Dunes. In addition, these trees create a noticeable visual barrier between the beach and the North Dunes.
At the June 11, 2020 meeting, the Forest and Beach Commission deferred the decision to approve or deny approval for the second grove of eucalyptus until the July meeting, and requested to see the proposed landscaping plan for the entire site.
The City Forester re-inspected the trees on July 1, 2020. Many defects in the trees were found and include: basal tissue damage and decay, suspected girdling roots, lack of trunk tamper, presence of fungal structures underneath the bark, decay of tissues as a result of pruning wounds, trunk wounds that are not calloused over, presence of unidentified oozing, and galls. In the City Forester’s opinion, none of these defects are so advanced to consider the trees will fail imminently.
The Western Tree Failure Database/California Tree Failure Report Program states, “As of August 12, 2010, there were 268 blue gum failure reports in the database: Root (44%), Branch (42%), and Trunk (14%). Mean age: 62 years, mean diameter at breast height: 43 inches, and mean height: 81 feet. Decay was reported in 61% of the root failures, 60% of trunk failures, and 41% of branch failures.”
The eucalyptus on the Overett property are of a similar size and height as the mean in the database. Considering the presence of fungi at the base of some of the trees, and also in the trunks of some trees, the likelihood of failure is increased. Approximate measurements taken by the City Forester found that the tree closest to the structures on the property is 120 feet away and approximately 97 feet tall.
Ten of the fifteen trees required to mitigate the removal of the first eucalyptus grove have been planted. The remaining balance has not yet been planted because their placement would put them in the path of the equipment needed to remove the second grove of eucalyptus trees. The placement of four new cypress trees will grow into the view-shed previously occupied by eucalyptus. As mitigation for the removal of the initial 27 trees, a payment $9,750 to the reforestation fund was required.
At the July 9, 2020 meeting the Commission reviewed a basic landscape plan which showed the tree that were required for mitigation of the first grove. The Commission requested a more detailed landscape plan for the two parcels owned by Ms. Overett. Ms. Overett has been very receptive to replanting on site as well as supporting costs for planting native trees elsewhere in the City. The plan is the supporting document shown as Attachment #1. In addition, Ms. Overett is very supportive of making a monetary contribution for the ongoing restoration of the North Dunes. She has offered $21,250, equal to mitigation of the 17 Eucalyptus at a rate of 5:1.