Fabled tree toppled (by Heather in Daily Journal)

Photo – Martin Laguna scaled a Burlingame eucalyptus tree yesterday morning and began cutting away its limbs a little at a time. The city process to decide its fate took three years but its removal will take two days.

Chain saws echoed on Easton Drive yesterday morning as the long-awaited fate of a fabled eucalyptus tree previously known as Tom? became a reality. The two-day removal process began yesterday officially putting an end to years of conversations, meetings and studies over the removal of the majestic giant. It was a beginning of a process that will ultimately include repairing the road and a tree ceremony when a replacement tree is planted. It's a shame,? said Gene Derenzi, a resident who lives on Cortez Avenue. Derenzi watched as the tree was dismantled for more than 45 minutes yesterday. He's not a tree lover, but appreciated there being a place for nature. If it was just a few feet back, there wouldn't be a problem,? he said.

Removal of the tree will be a two-day project costing $10,190, said Parks and Recreation Director Randy Schwartz. The removal process is producing noise and large pieces of wood. There was an idea of cutting a cross section to use as a historical piece, he said, but there is no formal plan about the use of the newly cut wood. Once removed, the public works department will need to fill the hole and fix the sidewalk and road. The job is estimated to cost about $10,000, said Public Works Director Syed Murtuza. A final cost and timeline won't be known until the tree is removed, he said. There is a goal, however, of completing the work in the upcoming weeks. During that time, a 12-foot eucalyptus citriodora, a lemon-scented evergreen that is fast growing and slender, will be planted, said Schwartz. There is no date set for the ceremony, but Schwartz hopes others in the area will participate notifying the city of other areas where trees could be planted.

Talk of removing this particular leafy giant began in early 2004 when the Public Works Department contacted an arborist to study the health of the tree and its impact on traffic safety in the area. After an appeal and much studying, a list of replacement trees was accepted in November 2006 by the City Council, which voted 3-2 the following month to remove the eucalyptus tree. Community uproar followed when residents felt the decision was hastily made resulting in Mayor Terry Nagel calling for a postponement of the December decision for further community input. After months of additional research by city staff and $8,275 in outside consulting services, Tom's fate once again came before the council in May. The decision was postponed again until a detailed citywide tree management plan and acceptable list of replacement trees for Easton Drive was in place both of which were presented at an August meeting. In August, the council voted 3-2 to remove the tree. Nagel joined councilwomen Rosalie O'Mahony and Ann Keighran in voting to remove the tree.

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The decision was correct when three of our most hard working elected officials voted to remove this tree for safety and practical reasons (over hystory and emotion), the deed is now done and we need to move forward and plant a new tree. Fiona

– Written by Fiona