'Pasadena Oaks' to line the path to City Hall
By Andrea Edmonds 10/09/2008
Pasadena officials on Monday started removing diseased carob trees lining Holly Street between Garfield and Marengo avenues near City Hall and replacing them with a rare type of native tree known as “Pasadena Oak.”
The sick carobs aren’t being cut down for aesthetic reasons, says Kathy Woods, administrator for the Parks and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Public Works. The failing health of the trees is an issue of public safety, says Woods.
The carob trees (or ceratonia siliquas), located in the public right-of-way in the high-traffic City Hall area, were found by city arborists to be in poor condition and nearing the end of their life span. Weakened branches could easily break and rotting trunks might no longer keep the trees from blowing over, creating a liability for the city.
“We started out with 36 carob trees, some of which actually did fall over on their own,” says Woods. “When older trees are not a hazard they can stay … but in this case, the trees must be removed.”
The decision to remove the trees was approved by the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee on July 16, 2003. The project is part of the city’s Central District Specific Plan, adopted by the City Council on April 19, 2001. The city also held public meetings during which Pasadena citizens could voice their views on the matter, and public notices of the tree removal plan were posted on the carob trees, but Woods said the plan met no opposition.
All 36 carob trees will be immediately replaced with the rare Californian Engelmann Oak (or quercus engelmannii), often referred to as the “Pasadena Oak.”
It is a heartier shade tree that uses less water than the carob and should be better suited for Holly Street, said Emina Darakja, past president of the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation and current chair of the Holly Street tree project.
She describes the Engelmann Oak as a “majestic and mighty tree that will compliment City Hall beautifully.”
The Pasadena Beautiful Foundation, a volunteer organization committed to the enhancement of the urban forests and streetscapes of Pasadena, is raising money to purchase the new oak trees.
“I’m delighted they finally decided to put in the Engelmann Oaks,” said Councilman Sid Tyler, author of the first tree protection ordinance in Pasadena. “I think that when it’s all finished, it’ll be a lovely place.”
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT