HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/24/2022 Item 4b, Schmidt (2)
From:Richard Schmidt <
To:Advisory Bodies; Trees
Subject:Tree Committee Agenda Comment -- 64 LaEntrada palm tree
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Please see this note gets to tree committee for Oct. 24 meeting's consideration of palm removal at 64 LaEntrada. Thank
you.
Dear Tree Committee,
Please reject the request to remove the Canary Island Palm at 64 LaEntrada.
This is a fine tree, and a neighborhood asset. Like the rest of the property, it does suffer a bit from lack of maintenance
(like ivy that's been allowed to grow up it). But it's a wonderful and substantial tree with many years of vigorous life
remaining.
This is also an ecologically important tree, as it is home to a long-standing owl nest. For years morning pedestrians
like myself can often see an owlet peeking out at passersby. This is wonderful for those who watch the owl activity, but
beyond the thrill of seeing an owl sitting up there, owls are also important to our city ecology as controllers of rodent
vermin populations. Their increasingly scarce city nesting sites merit protection. Please make sure this nesting/roosting
site is protected.
Much attention is focused these days on the harms of anthropogenic global warming, but just as serious -- more serious in
the views of many scientists -- is the collapse of wildlife due to human actions. For example, the very recent headline that
nearly 70% of wild creatures present in 1970 have disappeared in just the last 50 years is shocking. If earth's ecosystems
are to avoid collapse, we must accept our collective responsibility to support them where we can. Extinctions occur, after
all, one little action at a time, one owl nest at a time, and all those little actions add up. So, let's as a city do our
responsible duty by protecting this owl nest/roost tree.
As for the alleged need to remove the tree because of roots in the sewer and into the house, whose front is more than 20
feet away from the tree, this would appear to stem from lack of regular sewer cleaning. (I have lived for decades in a
house that requires regular reaming of its sewer line, so I have experience with this. I have more than 70 trees, love 'em
all, and am happy to pay for sewer maintenance and not blame my trees for their tree roots.) Further, the plumber's report
on the domestic sewer line indicates it has outlived its lifetime and simply needs replacement (sectional clay pipe with
frequent loose-fitting joints does not remain patent long-term). This is not the fault of the tree, it's the fault of a decayed
sewer. The city encourages sewer lateral replacement when sewers reach this state and has programs to help subsidize
the cost. That is the proper solution, not tree removal.
Thank you for looking out for the owls.
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Richard Schmidt
Animal populations experience average decline of almost 70% since 1970, report reveals
Animal populations experience average
decline of almost 70% since 1970, ...
Huge scale of human-driven loss of species demands
urgent action, say world’s leading scientists
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