Pulling up roots

Paul Clinton

CORONA DEL MAR -- Growing up, Mary Porter’s children decorated the

family eucalyptus trees outside their home.

As she stood on her front lawn Thursday morning watching city workers

remove one of two behemoth trees with a chain saw and crane, Porter

fought back tears.

“There are so many memories here,” Porter said. “It’s killing me.”

The tree had to go, said Dave Niederhaus, the city’s general services

director, because it was a risk to the people and homes in the

neighborhood near the corner of Larkspur Avenue and 4th Street.

In high winds, the blue gum eucalyptus, which is at least 70 years

old, could topple, he said.

The tree was recently diagnosed with “root rot” by a city arborist who

recommended that it be uprooted because of its size. In addition, a city

consultant, Alden Kelley, determined that the tree could not be saved,

Niederhaus said.

The city’s decision to remove the trees was clinched by a

recommendation from its insurer, ICW Group.

Niederhaus said that in a report, ICW Group singled out 10 trees in

Porter’s neighborhood as hazardous. He declined to release a copy of the

report but read portions of the multi-page document in a telephone

interview.

“If these trees were to fall, there is a high possibility of serious

property damage and possibly injury or death for a person located in the

fall zone,” he said the report stated.

Although the tree appears to be on Porter’s private property,

Niederhaus said the city is liable for any damage that could be created

by it falling.

Porter also said she was not notified before city workers showed up

and began cutting down the tree. Niederhaus refuted that, saying he

placed several phone calls to her at about 7:30 a.m. but was unable to

reach her.

As the crews yanked the tree from the ground early Thursday, Porter

mounted a protest campaign, stalling the removal of a second eucalyptus.

Her efforts drew the attention of Councilman Dennis O’Neil, who

arranged a meeting, set for Tuesday, between the resident, Niederhaus and

City Manager Homer Bludau. O’Neil could not be reached for comment

Thursday.

At the meeting, Porter will plead her case to save the remaining tree.

In the meantime, Porter frantically attached signs -- which were

removed by Thursday afternoon -- to the two trees that read “Alive! Need

Help!” along with other slogans.