Woman sits in tree to protest cutting: Redwood City says oak tree is dying and poses a public threat

Given the concerns about the planned removal expressed by at least one neighbor, the city will not proceed with the work at this time, while it further communicates with the resident and other neighbors to ensure there is a full understanding of the need for removal and replacement of this tree, Smith said.

“Our consulting arborist deems the entire tree at ‘overall extreme risk’ of ‘imminent’ failure — meaning large branches or sections of trunk (or the entire tree) could break apart and fall,” Smith wrote in an email. “Cars and pedestrians in the area are at risk when this kind of tree failure occurs. … The city has spent several years trying to maintain the tree and to find ways to not only keep it, but to keep it viable. However, it’s abundantly clear from the arborist’s report that the tree is not structurally sound and is in danger of falling over or breaking apart. Because of its size and proximity to the street and to pedestrians, this tree poses a public safety hazard that we do not believe can reasonably be solved, short of removal.”

Minor sees saving the tree as vital, however, and is hoping if the city can’t save it, it can at least open a dialogue to replant native oaks to replace ones that are dying.

“It’s a 200-year-old oak and it needs to stay up,” she said while sitting in the tree. “It’s a treasure of the community and we can’t afford to lose it. I am tree sitting today. I love this oak tree. Everybody loves this tree and they’re so important to the community.”

She noted it’s amazing how everyone has a personal connection to the tree. She brought lunch, water and sunglasses for the occasion.

“There’s ways to keep it up by girding it up with steel girders or beams or by pruning the long branches back,” she said. “Or put a structure around it to let it die naturally.”

Still, Smith said the city is very proud and protective of the urban forest it’s been able to maintain throughout the community. Unfortunately, he said, in some cases a tree becomes diseased or damaged to the point where it becomes a safety hazard, and the only prudent and viable option is removal and replacement.

“I can assure you that removal is always the last resort when it comes to the city street trees, which are such an important part of our community’s neighborhoods,” Smith said.

Others like Annika Jimenez, who kicked off the little experiment Thursday by hanging around the trunk bright pink hearts with messages “We Will Miss You” and “RIP Beautiful Tree” and adding some flowers, understands where the city is coming from, but she doesn’t believe every option has been exhausted prior to making a call to chop the tree down.

“I think we need more transparency in the process — especially where such a beautiful, loved, landmark is concerned,” she wrote in an email. “This morning, I woke up and went to get coffee at 6:30 a.m., drove by the tree to check on it, and lo and behold, Gwen was already up there. A sister in peaceful resistance!”

Others like Richard Kelly, a resident of the area since 1980, said it’s a nice tree, but he understands the city’s decision given that it’s rotting.

“It’s kind of an iconic tree,” he said. “Everybody knows the old oak tree. It’s unfortunate, but I think the tree should have a decent sendoff.”

angela@smdailyjournal.com

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