HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-03-2015 Item 11 - Mission Plaza Cedar tree
Meeting Date: 11/3/2015
FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Ron Combs, City Arborist
Barbara Lynch, Deputy Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: MISSION PLAZA CEDAR TREE
RECOMMENDATION
After receiving public input and considering staff’s proposal to leave the tree in place through
the Mission Plaza Assessment and Master Plan adoption, provide direction on disposition of
recently planted deodar cedar in Mission Plaza.
DISCUSSION
A cedar tree was recently planted in the Mission Plaza. Council received some comments about
the tree and requested staff to bring a discussion item to the Council. Some options regarding the
disposition of the tree are included in the Alternatives section of this report.
For over 25 years the City has assisted the Downtown Association with placement of a holiday
tree in the Mission Plaza. The Downtown Association orders the tree, and in late November, the
City’s Urban Forest crew spends most of a day in set up and decoration. The tree is then
maintained by the Park Maintenance staff, with regular irrigation. Once January arrives, the tree
is removed and recycled. In total about 40 hours of staff time are required to install, maintain,
and remove the cut tree. Additional hours are needed for lighting and decorations; however, that
time commitment will not change with the live tree.
The idea of planting a live holiday tree in Mission Plaza, consistent with the City’s sustainability
commitments, has been conceptually discussed for over 20 years by staff, the public, Tree
Committee members, residents, business owners, and Downtown Association directors.
Generally, comments received by staff on planting a live tree have all been very positive at
Advisory Body events and at Arbor Day. The only concerns expressed had to do with
maintaining the size of the tree and future replacement. This past year the City’s Urban Forest
staff spent considerable time and resources on dead and dying trees, primarily due to the drought.
This work limited the time available to plant new trees, and resulted in some savings in the
planting budget. These savings were enough to fund a 60” box tree and crane service to place the
live Mission Plaza holiday tree.
The planted tree is a 60” box 20’ tall deodar cedar (Cedrus deadora.) The City Arborist worked
closely with the Downtown Association in preparation for the conversion from a cut tree to a live
tree in the plaza, and the Downtown Association has been pleased with the planting. When the
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tree becomes established the existing irrigation in the area will be capped, as this species can
survive on annual rainfall. Reduced water, and light annual pruning will help keep the tree the
size that it is. This species was chosen because it lends itself well to sheer pruning into a conical
shape earning another common name in the holiday tree growing industry, California Christmas
Tree.
Rationale for a Live Tree and Location Selection
The goal of staff, citizens, and stakeholders was to plant a live tree to add beauty
to the surroundings and reap other environmental, social, and economic benefits
that trees provide. This includes shifting from supporting a carbon source
(approximately 3,000 pounds for transporting the cut tree) to providing a
carbon sink as the tree absorbs carbon and gives off oxygen. The City
Arborist also saw a benefit to the City of eliminating staff time installing and
removing the annual tree, with that time put to use addressing the Urban Forest
program’s core mission of a safe and healthy urban forest.
Concerns expressed by the public about this tree planting have centered on the
location of the planting, less so the idea of a permanent tree. Several sites were
considered before the current site was selected. Considering all the constraints and impacts of
special events on the various other possible planting locations (discussed below), the current
location for the tree was selected.
1) Turf Area
The Plaza is a busy location, with events scheduled through much of the year. The turf area was
considered; however, crowds like to gather there during events and be seated during concerts.
Vandalism and compaction of the soil around the tree were concerns.
2) Opposing Planter
The planter to the left of the steps (opposite the planter the tree is currently in) was con sidered.
This is where the cut holiday tree is usually set. Three large Eucalyptus trees would have to have
been removed, the stumps thoroughly ground, and much of the grindings and soil removed
because of the tendency of Eucalyptus to dominate other species, taking water and nutrients, and
releasing toxins into the soil, preventing the other species from thriving. The cost of these
removals along with the need to replace the removed soil would be cost prohibitive for the
operating budget. Removal would also not be consistent with City policy regarding tree removals
because the existing trees are healthy, contribute to the surrounding environment, and there are
no arboricultural reasons for removing the trees.
3) Planter at Warden Bridge
The location near the Warden Bridge where the large Monterey Pine tree was removed a couple
of years ago was another location considered. The area is highly compacted from public use. It
is regularly used as a walk-through and gathering area frequented by people during events.
Attempts to start a new tree in this planter after the removal of the pine, have failed, attributed to
the heavy pedestrian activity and resulting soil compaction.
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4) Planter at Chorro Street
The planter next to the restaurant on Chorro (to the left of the Chorro Plaza entrance) has
considerable vegetation already; including the replacement for the Heritage Tree (aka Flossie)
removed several years ago from the little planter at the top of the steps next to the Mission.
Response from the Community
Staff and Council received written concerns about the new cedar. The concerns expressed
included the new tree not fitting with the other trees, blocking the view of the annual Menorah,
blocking the view of the Mission, and blocking the view of events. Other comments City staff
heard were, “It looks good.” “That’s a great idea.” “It’s about time.” “What took so long.”
“Makes sense.”
In response to concerns raised and the fact that the City is undertaking a Mission Plaza
Assessment and Master Plan which is intended to review the infrastructure, planting and
facilities of Mission Plaza, a majority of the City Council asked for the Council to consider if any
actions should be taken concerning the planting of the tree. The alternatives are reviewed below.
The new tree is not the same species as other trees in the Mission Plaza; however, the Mission
Plaza is home to a variety of trees. The City’s tree inventory of the plaza lists over 20 different
species including the Lemon Scented Gum, Sycamore, Primrose, Chitalpa, Jacaranda, Floss Silk,
and Redwood.
There is room in the planter opposite the new tree to place the Menorah to continue this tradition
in the Plaza, or possibly in the planter nearer the church, previously occupied by “Flossie.” S taff
will work with the Jewish community to find an appropriate location.
A quick walk around the Mission area presents a variety of views. The Mission is somewhat
blocked a various locations along Chorro due to other vegetation. Near the fountain is the
primary location within the plaza where the Mission is somewhat obscured by the tree. The
Mission property itself has several trees that block the view of the Mission, while several of the
trees near the Mission on the City’s property are more open.
At the Chorro entry point: Near the Fountain:
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In front of the Mission: West side of Chorro at Monterey:
East Side of Chorro at Monterey: South side of Monterey at Chorro:
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost to purchase and place the tree was $3,400. Financial impacts of the various alternatives
are discussed below.
ALTERNATIVES
1) Leave the tree where it is currently planted.
The tree will be pruned after the first growing season to maintain its size then regularly pruned
annually to keep it the same size for decorating purposes and to maximize the view of the
Mission. After the tree is established some of the lower limbs will be removed further exposing
the Mission. Other vegetation obstructing the view within the Mission Plaza, not on Church
property, will be pruned and shaped to ensure that views of the Mission will be enhanced.
Vegetation obstructing views on church property is maintained under the church’s jurisdiction.
There are no costs associated with this option beyond annual trimming by staff.
2) Leave the tree where it is currently planted then make a determination regarding the tree
when the Mission Plaza Assessment and Master Plan is complete.
The Mission Plaza Assessment and Master Plan is just getting started and will include a diverse
group of engaged community members. While there have been a few concerns expressed
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regarding the tree, there have also been positive comments about the planting. Rather than
remove the tree based on the few negative comments, an alternative is to leave the tree in place
for the time being and evaluate the location of the tree through a broader engagement process as
part of the Mission Plaza Assessment and Master Plan to: 1) confirm its location, 2) recommend
an alternative location, or 3) recommend removing the tree and using a cut tree every year for the
holiday celebrations. This alternative represents staff’s recommended approach.
3) Move the tree.
It may be possible to move the tree to a different location, either within the plaza or to a City
park, but there are risks to the tree associated with this alternative. The tree is stressed from the
initial planting and will be further stressed by replanting. It will be difficult if not impossible to
re-box the root system due to the rock walls surrounding its root ball. If it cannot be re -boxed,
due to the tight quarters, it will have to be craned out by the trunk using other forms of rigging to
try and keep the soil and roots intact during transplanting. This will damage the trunk of the tree
and many of its roots. Delaying transplanting for several months will not significantly change the
probability of survival. There are additional costs associated with this and a high probability the
tree will die if transplanted.
4) Remove the tree.
If the tree is cut down, rather than a move attempted, the investment in the tree will be lost and
the manpower and resource savings will not be realized as the crew returns to the past practice of
putting up an annual cut tree.
If either the Move or Remove option is chosen, staff recommends postponing that action until
after the first of the year to allow the tree to be used for the upcoming holiday season.
Attachments:
a - Mission Photos
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Mission Plaza Cedar Tree
City Council Meeting
November 3, 2015
Background
A cedar tree was recently planted in the Mission Plaza
Council received comments and requested staff bring
this item to council for discussion
Background
For over 25 years Urban Forest staff has set a cut tree
in Mission Plaza for decorating during the holidays
Tree is purchased by the Downtown Association
Community members have discussed the idea of a
live tree for over 20 years
Consistent with the City’s sustainability commitments
Shifts from carbon source to carbon sink
Frees up staff time for Urban Forest maintenance
Supported by the Downtown Association
Prior year discussions with Mission Church staff and
Advisory body were supportive
Planting
Funding became available this year, allowing the
installation of the live tree
Several planting sites were looked at and after careful
consideration of the constraints and impacts the
current location was chosen
Turf Area – Busy with events
Opposite Planter – Challenges with existing Eucalyptus
Warden Bridge Planter – Challenged with foot traffic and
an extensive root ball from a prior tree (cost estimated
between $8,000 and $10,000 to plant here)
Chorro Entrance Planter – Heavily vegetated already
Community Response
Tree does not fit with other trees at the Plaza
Mission Plaza has over 20 different species of trees
The church property is home to many varieties of trees
There is no active Master Plan for Mission Plaza at this time
Tree will block the view of the annual Menorah
Staff will work with sponsors of the annual Menorah to locate it in the opposite planter or closer to the Mission at a visible location
Tree blocks the view of events
View open for most areas in front of the Mission, partially blocked near the fountain
Tree is a great addition
Concerns expressed are centered on the location of the tree, not the concept of planting a live tree
“Flossie”
Alternatives:
Leave the tree in its current location, through the Mission Plaza Assessment and Master Plan Adoption, and make a final determination regarding the tree through that process
Involves a large stakeholder group
Staff Recommendation
Leave the tree where it is currently planted
Staff to maintain the tree in a trimmed condition, removing lower limbs when the tree is established
Move the tree
The tree is stressed and will be further stressed if transplanted, reducing the chances of survival
Staff recommends leaving at current location until January
Cut down the tree
Staff recommends leaving at current location until January
Questions