HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2017 Cooper (Tree Removal)OCT 2 3 2017
To: SLO Tree Committee & City Arborist Ron Combs SLO CITY CLERK
Re: Tree Removals Proposed for 435 Marsh Street and 1266 Monterey Street
From: Allan Cooper, Secretary Save Our Downtown
Date: October 22, 2017
Honorable Chair Loosley and Committee Members -
Save Our Downtown is urging you to preserve two more street trees located within the
downtown core. One is located at 435 Marsh Street and other is located at 1266 Monterey
Street.
435 Marsh Street
Renton Partners, LLC is proposing at 435 Marsh Street to replace a mature Ficus Macrocarpa
with two 24 -gallon Mexican Sycamores. Even though the Mexican Sycamore is a moderately
fast growing, upright shade tree its pollen may cause an allergic reaction and has a limited life
span. Like the American sycamore, the aggressive roots and relatively large mature size of this
tree suggest it not be used near structures and pavement or under power lines.
In sum, the Mexican Sycamore is no more superior, and in some instances is inferior, to the
existing ficus macrocarpa. But perhaps most importantly, the existing Ficus Macrocarpa or
Indian Laurel Fig - a magnificent 55 -foot tall, healthy specimen - should be preserved to offset
the scale of the proposed 42 -foot tall mixed-use building that will otherwise tower over a
neighborhood comprised of one- and two-story buildings.
1266 Monterey Street
Mr. Crew is claiming that the Carrotwood tree at 1266 Monterey Street is damaging his asphalt
parking lot. He also claims that he had to replace a sewer line because of this tree. However,
upon close inspection, one can see no evidence of either damage to the concrete sidewalk or
to the asphalt parking lot.
As we have mentioned to you before, Carrotwoods are "well-behaved" street trees. They are
slow growers of a limited size. They grow to about 30 feet tall and 25 feet across and do not
need much pruning except to thin the tree out (more to the point, some of the dead wood
caused by our recent drought should be thinned out.) They need little water except during
prolonged droughts. They are low -maintenance, disease -resistant, frost and wind tolerant. But
most importantly their surface roots do not lift sidewalks. They have deep roots that will not
destroy paving. (see: htt://marinatreeand arden.or /trea ist/cu anio sis.htmi .
Thank you!