Are trees safe that line our local highways?

There are numerous Monterey Pine trees that appear top-heavy and when you see orange needles, the tree is not healthy. Monterey Pines have a shallow root base and a life of about 75 years.  

When you get off 280 and join Junipero Serra in San Francisco there are several trees with their limbs looking ready to fall. I have contacted Caltrans and the city of San Francisco and each of them says those trees are the responsibility of the other.

As winter approaches the possible damage to these trees will increase and so will the possibility of a car getting hit will increase. Many would say it is a budget issue. OK fine, but when someone gets hit and injured the cost of a settlement will outweigh the cost of maintaining the trees in a safe manner. In the golf business, we call those hanging limbs widow makers.

I hope these thoughts reach a person of authority and help make our roads safer.

John Abendroth

Burlingame