Trees on El Camino Real in Burlingame.
A plan to renovate the stretch of El Camino Real through Burlingame could threaten a patch of treasured eucalyptus trees, according to concerned advocates seeking to preserve the historic grove.
The Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame is slated Wednesday, Jan. 6, to discuss the issue during a remote meeting to be held in advance of a Friday, Jan. 8, deadline to submit comments regarding the potential tree removal.
The discussion serves as the latest chapter in a series between Burlingame officials seeking to protect the trees and representatives from Caltrans, which maintains the authority to initiate capital improvements on the thoroughfare.
Due to safety concerns and infrastructure issues along the state route, Caltrans has planned a variety of projects designed to improve El Camino Real — some of which could lead to removing the landmark eucalyptus or thinning the Howard-Ralston Tree Row, a grove of eucalyptus trees listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In the past, the transportation agency has expressed interest in cutting the trees to improve safety and fix surrounding infrastructure, only to be met with staunch opposition from residents and officials. In the spirit of collaboration, residents and community members are encouraged to join the upcoming discussion to learn more about the project, and ways to raise potential concerns to Caltrans.
The Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame will host the discussion Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. Preregistration is required to participate. Visit cecburlingame.org/el-camino-real-renewal-project-needs-your-feedback for more information.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Poetry Without Borders 2026 is an annual poetry contest for youth of all ages. It is being j… Read morePoetry Without Borders 2026
With playing described as “stylish and full of fire,” Ensemble Mirable has captivated listen… Read moreEnsemble Mirable: Baroque Masterpieces on period instruments
“Powerful, moving, and exhilarating” Read moreSongs For A New World
Exclusive film screening in San Mateo Read moreA LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P.GIANNINI
Dirk van Ulden said:
Connie Weiss said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(2) comments
I want safe sidewalks and bike lanes for my kids, not bloated invasive species breaking up the sidewalks and clogging the storm drains. If Donald Trump were a tree he would be a eucalyptus - bloated with no respect for native species, leaving a mess behind and clogging the pipes. What are these trees good for? Looking up at with your MAGA hat on your heart to think about the great shipbuilding industry of yesteryear that cut down all of the native species? Time to cut down the MAGAlyptus and create a safe path for our kids to grow up with!
That is so lame that CalTrain is going to remove the beautiful trees only Burlingame has managed to protect up and down the Peninsula. It was once different. We live in San Carlos on Old County Road where CalTrain removed all these trees in 1991 to build the berm (grade crossing). Soon after, the eminent domained land on the other side of the tracks and erected the San Carlos Transit Village. We fought for years and managed to get the buildings to 3 stories but the trees were never replaced. They promised they would put landscaping on the berm and maintain it. Instead it has been a brutal eyesore of unmaintained weeds ever since. The issue is that they don't want to water or maintain anything and pay for it. One guarantee for sure. CalTrain will totally forget any promises they make to Burlingame and this beautiful grove of trees will be gone forever, replaced by concrete and weeds.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.