My Belmont Heights - trees - Comments

Trees in Belmont Plaza

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 16:12:37 -0500

None of the trees removed looked dead to me, they all had leaves a few weeks ago and still have healthy looking stumps (???).

Tree Mystery solved

KavJack — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 12:32:14 -0500

From: Parks, Recreation and Marine Dept. City of Long Beach, Yes, this is our Department, and yes, we did remove this tree,
along with a couple of others. All of the removed trees were dead.
This was done while we were trimming the trees in the Plaza area.

There will soon be construction work in the plaza replacing the
existing concrete with a new concrete surface. After this work is
completed, we will look at planting some new trees. There is no
point in doing so now as they might be damaged during the
construction work.

You can direct any questions about this to either myself or Ken
Herbage at 570-4879.

Thanks.

Thomas A Shippey
Manager, Maintenance Operations
Parks, Recreation and Marine
City of Long Beach
562-570-4899
tom_shippey@longbeach.gov

LB policy on removal of mature trees

Mike Stewart — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 13:10:05 -0500

Does LB have a formal stance/policy on the removal or replacement of mature trees? If not, I think it behooves the city to adopt a policy.

If you're a longtime resident of southern california, I'm sure you'll remember how bad Harbor Blvd was near Disneyland before they revamped the area a few years ago. When Disney invested in the area, they planted MANY mature trees along with vines and other foilage. How beautiful the area is today...

I havent been down to BBC in a few weeks, but I hope there is a plan to replace what I can only hope were diseased trees.

Preservation of Historically Significant Trees

Paul Murnane — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 20:08:28 -0500

On September 6, 2005, the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance (#05-0026) amending subsection L & M in Section 2.63.050 of the LB Municipal Code, which can be found here: http://municipalcodes.lexisnexis.com/codes/longbeach/_DATA/TITLE02/Chapter_2_63_CULTURAL_HERITAGE.html

Here are the relevant excerpts:
L. In the case of the designation of a tree(s) based on historic significance, that the tree(s) is (are) associated with individuals, places and/or events that are deemed significant based on their importance to national, state and community history; or
M. In the case of the designation of a tree(s) based on cultural contribution, that the tree(s) is (are) associated with a particular event or adds (add) significant aesthetic or cultural contribution to the community. (Ord. ORD-05-0026 § 1, 2005; Ord. C-6961 § 1 (part), 1992).

The really relevant word is "aesthetic", especially if a very mature tree. Bottom-line: one way to save a tree might be to have it designated "historical." I think Jan could shed some light on the practicality, but the option is legally there.

Paul

Former tree at 435 Loma

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:00:34 -0500

Bette-

After inspecting the remaining trunk of the former tree at 435 Loma, it does appear that the tree was diseased as the inner core of the tree had rotted. They will usually remove trees like that ASAP so that it does not unexpectedly fall and cause injury/damage to people/property.

-Jerry

Tree removal at 435 Loma

Lauren Coombs — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 11:19:25 -0500

This message was sent in response to an inquire regarding tree removal on 435 Loma

Good Morning:

According to our Street Tree Supervisor, Jerry Rowland, the tree at 435 Loma was reported by the resident as looking "sick." An investigation followed and returned a "rotting at the base" conclusion, and the tree was promptly removed on 8/23/06. Per our Construction Inspector, Jason Feagin, all tree trimming on 5th Street will be complete within two weeks. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me, the Construction Inspection Division Secretary, at lauren_coombs@longbeach.gov.

- Lauren Coombs

Great news

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 14:00:06 -0500

All-

Yesterday morning as I was leaving for work, I noticed that the sidewalk on the side of the house had been once again painted to show where the new sidewalk is going to go. Apparently they are going to slightly jog the sidewalk to go around the tree roots, which tells me that they have reconsidered its removal. This is great news!! Thanks to everyone who wrote letters and petitioned the City on behalf of the tree. It's amazing what a group of concerned citizens can accomplish when they are all working together for a common goal!

-Jerry

Long Beach rubber sidewalk test

Mike Stewart — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:44:33 -0500

Jerry informaed me that Long Beach is testing rubber sidewalks on the west side of Cerritos Ave. (just off Ocean Blvd). I'll try to post some pictures soon.

Install a rubber sidewalk

Jerry — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:28:57 -0500

I'm not sure how much traction this will get, but I'm going to suggest that the City install a rubber sidewalk along the small section near the tree. The City does have a test sidewalk already in place ( I believe it is somewhere in the Alamitos Beach neighborhood - I'm trying to find the exact location) and this would not only be an excellent compromise to removing the tree, but also keeps tires out of landfills, is environmentally sustainable since it is made from 100% recycled tires, and is modular so the section can be removed and roots trimmed periodically as needed.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Check the links below for more information:

http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Rubber-Sidewalks.htm

www.rubbersidewalks.com/pdf/rbside.8.04.pdf

Washington Post.com story

-Jerry

what a day!

Bette — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 19:46:58 -0500

Jerry,

The city arborist, Homer F., just came by and spoke to us - the result of my e-mail to Mark Christoffel. (Do go ahead and do your e-mails.) He said a surveyor would come out to your house to see if they could shuffle the sidewalk a little to save your tree. Otherwise they would be cutting into the trunk and that wouldn't be good for the tree. The surveyor has to measure the city property, and if necessary get the homeowner's permission to put some of the sidewalk on private property. Homer was impressed with the number of neighbors who contacted the city.

The tree at 4031 E. Fifth St. is another story. That tree is impacted by both the sidewalk and the "carriage" path - concrete connecting the sidewalk to the street. The house is in escrow and I think the seller doesn't care, the buyer doesn't know, and the 300 foot neighbors don't care either. So, somebody in Homer's office will decide to go ahead or to leave it right there.

It seems things are on hold for now because neighbors expressed concerns. I imagine the city will have to come out and remark all the colorful chalk marks again. But it seems like we saved a tree or two and severe pruning on the remainders. What a day.

Bette

Appeal Received

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:01:58 -0500

Your appeal has been recieved. I will have the City's tree arborist contact you regarding this tree.

Mark Christoffels
City Engineer
City of Long Beach
333 West Ocean Blvd
Long Beach CA 90802
(562) 570-6771
Fax (562) 570-6012

save the healthy mature trees

Mike Stewart — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 01:13:59 -0500

Am I allowed to have an opinion as the BHCA president? Did I give it away yet? I can be very diplomatic, but my inital reaction is that all healthy mature trees should be saved. I'm sure walkways can be made safe if will & creativity is applied. And let's be honest, its nice that the city is finally getting around to fixing sidewalks, but nice sidewalks don't add to the beautiy of the neighborhood without nice scenery.

And, we should try to save

Bette — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:27:10 -0500

And, we should try to save the tree at 4031 E. 5th that is also slated for removal. That house also has owner problems as the house is in escrow and there is no one to speak for the tree. Our mature trees are one of the greatest neighborhood assets. Trees do a great job with our heat and our pollution.