HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2012 c3 heritage tree designationcounci lacEnaa uepoat
C I T Y O F S A N L U I S O B I S P O
FROM :Jay Walter, Director of Public Work s
Prepared By :Ron Combs, City Arboris t
SUBJECT :HERITAGE TREE DESIGNATIO N
RECOMMENDATIO N
As recommended by the Tree Committee, designate one tree in the City's Exposition/Meadow Par k
as a Heritage Tree .
DISCUSSIO N
Backgroun d
The Heritage Tree program is a voluntary program whereby the City of San Luis Obispo recognize s
trees of important historical or arboricultural interest . The Heritage Tree Program has been a part of th e
Tree Ordinance since 1971 . In 1972 a fig tree at the corner of Peach and Chorro became the firs t
Heritage tree designated by resolution of the City Council, and from 1972 to 1975 five more trees wer e
designated as Heritage trees . Eight trees were added in 1986 and an additional nine trees added i n
•2010 . The City's Geographical Information staff prepared a brochure in 2008 which identifies th e
location of the trees and provides information about the variety . There is also information in th e
brochure on how to get a tree designated .
Since 1972 thirty-six trees have been designated as Heritage Trees by the City Council and twenty -
seven of these trees survive to date .
Proposed New Heritage Tre e
Meg Evans, Parks Maintenance Site Manager at Exposition/Meadow Park, knew of the uniqu e
qualities of the Osage Orange (Maclura Pomifera) in this City park . While assisting the Tree Cre w
during pruning operations she offered the useable logs, including a log of Osage Orange, to Pacifi c
Coast Lumber, a local Mill on Prado Road that specializes in urban wood . Sending pruned wood for
reuse is a practice commonly used by the Tree Crew to save time, money, and City resources . Staff was
generally aware of the value of this type of wood, but was over whelmed with the enthusiasm of th e
Wood Turners Association over a relatively small useable log of Osage Orange . A beautiful gavel an d
striker was produced from this wood by a local wood turner and was shown in the hallway of the
Council Chamber with the Urban Forest display .
As far as staff and experts on the Tree Committee are aware, this tree is the only one of its kind in th e
City. It is a very rare species in this area, more commonly found from Arkansas to Oklahoma an d
Texas . The Osage Orange is known for its heavy, close-grained, yellow-orange wood, prized fo r
tool handles, fence posts, and other applications requiring a strong dimensionally stable wood tha t
•withstands rot . In Arkansas, in the early 19th century, a good Osage bow was worth a horse and a
blanket.
Meeting Dat e1-17-1 2
It e-m NumberC3
Heritage Tree Designation — Exposition Park Page 2
•This tree was planted before Exposition Park was built, and is of unknown origin . It probabl y
became established in this area due to its proximity to the seasonal creek . It is a fine example of a
healthy tree that has grown well with extra water and care . The tree has not been affected b y
surrounding development and is expected to grow to its full potential of over 60' feet tall, with a trun k
diameter of four feet and life span of 50 to 150 years .
Meg Evans understood the value of this tree and started the process to have it recognized as a Heritag e
Tree . She worked with the City Urban Forest staff to coordinate a Tree Committee review of the site .
The Tree Committee decided it was worthy of designation as a Heritage Tree, and is forwarding thi s
recommendation to the City Council for approval . Upon Council approval, staff will prepare the plaqu e
for presentation to the Council at a future meeting, as the official representative of the property .
Tree Ordinanc e
The City recognizes the important role trees have played in the history and development of San Lui s
Obispo and recognizes that a wide variety of trees can grow in its unique and temperate climate . The
City Municipal Code describes a "Heritage Tree" as any tree within City limits, which has been s o
designated by resolution of the City Council and has a notable historic interest or is of an unusua l
species or size .
CONCURRENCE S
The tree-does not impact any planned development of park facilities for Exposition Park . The Parks
& Recreation Director concurs with this recommendation .
FISCAL IMPAC T
There are minor costs associated with making a new Heritage Tree plaque for display at th e
Corporation Yard . Maintenance costs for the tree will continue to be incorporated in the City's
operating budget and no additional expenses are anticipated as a result of this designation .
ATTACHMENT S
1.Map of property showing proposed Heritage Tre e
2.Resolution to designate one Heritage Tree at Exposition/Meadow Par k
AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL OFFIC E
1.Photograph of proposed Heritage Tree .
2.Pamphlet, Heritage Tree Program Information Packet .
3.Brochure, "The Heritage Trees of San Luis Obispo "
t:\council agenda reports\2012\2012-01-17\c3-heritage tree (walter-combs)\rpt-heritagetree .docx
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ATTACHMENT 1
MEADOW - EXPOSITION PARK
HERITAGE TRE E
AERIAL PHOTO LOCATION
Attachment 2
RESOLUTION NO .(2012 Series )
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISP O
DESIGNATING A HERITAGE TRE E
AT EXPOSITION PAR K
WHEREAS,the City Council has approved a Heritage Tree Program for the City of San
Luis Obispo in 1971 ; an d
WHEREAS,the Tree Committee and staff has identified, reviewed and recommends th e
following tree to be designated as Heritage Tree ; an d
WHEREAS,this tree is a unique and healthy specimen thriving in the park setting and
the tree has added to the beauty and interest to this portion of Exposition Park in San Lui s
Obispo .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Lui s
Obispo to designate the following as a Heritage Tree :
Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) — 2275 King Stree t
Upon motion of Council member , seconded by Council member
and on the following roll call vote :
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT :
the foregoing resolution was adopted on , 2012 .
Mayor Jan Mar x
ATTEST :
Elaina Can o
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM :
s/s J . Christine Dietric k
J . Christine Dietric k
City Attorney
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t :\council agenda reports\public works car\2012\trees\expo heritage tree\res-expo heritage.docx •