After a reassessment of public risk, the City has decided to remove three large trees of concern at Spreckels Park. Two of the trees, both Sugar Gum eucalyptus trees, are adjacent to the park’s playground and are the same type, size and similar age of a tree which suddenly, and without warning, dropped a limb weighing more than 7 tons at the same park in early October. The other tree, a Red Box, is near the park’s public restroom.
The decision was made after careful review and consideration of public safety concerns. A public meeting was held at the park with the City’s contract arborist, members of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Street Tree Committee, as well as City staff, on Wednesday, December 2.
Work to remove the trees is set to begin on Tuesday, December 15.
without warning from a tree Oct. 13.
Mike Palat, an arborist with West Coast Arborists, attended the meeting to explain his reassessment of the trees in light of the “sudden branch drop” of the eucalyptus tree October 15, which was subsequently removed, and to answer questions. After weighing the many risk factors involved, a decision was made to have the trees removed.
All eucalyptus trees in Spreckels Park were assessed two years ago. Upon reevaluation, the three trees set for removal were considered to have a higher combined risk for failure and severe consequences. The arborist found that the Sugar Gum just west of the playground presents a “possible” likelihood of failure in the next two years with no practical ways to mitigate the risk due to past “topping” of the tree and resultant decay and response growth. The consequence of such a failure would be severe due to some of the tree’s large limbs being located directly above the playground, an area in frequent use.
A second Sugar Gum eucalyptus, on the southeast corner of the playground, was found in the arborist’s reassessment to have declined in health with one limb appearing to be dying and fungal fruiting bodies at its base. The likelihood of failure, either a limb drop or something larger at the base, went from “possible” in the next two years to “probable” for this tree. There is no viable mitigation for the tree without significantly affecting its form and health. Additionally, the consequence of failure was deemed severe, with the likely target being a person.
The Red Box tree was included in the reassessment because it had recently experienced a limb failure, in addition to at least three previous failures. One limb failure was mid-branch, which could not be predicted or explained. The tree is not common in Southern California so there is scant information as to the failure profile in the region. The likelihood of failure for the tree was deemed “probable” in the next two years with the consequence being severe since the tree is large. The tree’s erratic branching structure does not lend itself to crown reduction pruning. The tree is regularly pruned and continues to drop limbs, which indicates it is a failure-prone tree.
The City works tirelessly to maintain its urban forest of more than 8,700 trees that grow on public areas, including parkways. Coronado became a Tree City USA in 1984 for its active urban forest management program and, in 1993, formed the Street Tree Committee to provide input to the City Council and educate the public on the role trees play in the urban environment. The Committee also maintains the Tree Master Plan and a list of approved street trees.
Coronado actively monitors, maintains and inspects its trees, particularly the larger ones. The City does not treat tree removals lightly. However, public safety is the City’s highest priority. Eucalyptus trees are known to drop branches in the summer or to fall over without warning. Several California cities have had serious injuries, even deaths, due to falling trees and limbs.
Removal is set to begin on Tuesday, December 15, and should be completed by the end of the week. Adjacent neighbors, Sacred Heart and the Coronado Unified School District will be notified.
