Tree comes down for fence

A landscape worker cut down an old tree near 4234 Patrice Road in Newport Beach on Friday afternoon, despite an effort by at least one resident to save the sycamore.

Resident Karen Vinci gathered a petition with 22 signatures to protest against the tree’s removal. She had loved to watch squirrels and raccoons climb up and down the tree, and said she couldn’t bear to see it come down.

But Leo Vortouni, board president of Park Lido Townhomes, which paid to have the tree removed, said this was needed in order to put in a new white plastic fence.

“The old wire fence was falling down, and was a major eyesore,” Vortouni said. “We are trying to improve the look of Newport Beach.”

Hugh Calkins, owner of the apartment lot where the tree had stood, agreed that it needed to go.

“The tree is overgrown and is about to fall off on somebody,” he said, adding, “There is also a rat problem at the apartments because of that tree.”

— Rachel Terrazas