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One of the largest and oldest trees in Pleasanton is set to be cut down on Tuesday after contracting an incurable sulphur fungus, and while city officials say it is a necessary move, some residents plan to protest the removal.
Located at Lions Wayside Park behind the Firehouse Arts Center in downtown Pleasanton, city officials say that the eucalyptus tree must be taken down as a matter of safety, adding that the fungus that infects the tree could potentially result in falling branches and debris while the park is in use.
But resident Todd Myers remains unconvinced that the tree couldn’t be saved, at least partially, through diligent pruning or significant trimming as necessary and along with a group of residents has organized a demonstration to save the tree Tuesday between 6 and 7 a.m.
“I’ve been up here since 1968 (and) we were taking pictures of it and videos and it was sad because we used to play there as kids behind the ravine there and all in the park for forever and kids still do,” Myers argued. “We’re doing a protest for sure. They’re supposed to start tomorrow morning and we… figure well get probably 100 people out there or more.”
City officials, however, maintain that all avenues of saving the tree have been exhausted and removing the beloved eucalyptus is simply a matter of public safety.
“With this particular fungus, it is my understanding that once the tree is infected with it, it can’t be saved,” city spokesperson Cindy Chin told the Weekly. “Because of the location of the park and the size, it really creates a safety risk for the community and that’s why we are having it removed.”
“We’ve also had a wildlife ecologist come examine the tree on Friday and then again this morning to verify that there is not any wildlife nesting in the tree,” she added. “We’ve really exhausted every measure to save and preserve the tree.”
Chin further refuted a circulating claim that a parking lot would be built in the tree’s current location, saying that there are no plans to build a parking lot there. Chin also noted that at the moment there are also no plans to replace it with a new tree.
Work on the tree was set to begin early Tuesday morning, with total removal estimated to be completed by Friday.
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@Pete- which email address did you send the videos to?
Eucalyptus tree was probably planted in Lion’s Wayside Park in the 1880’s. The same time that the Neal Street Bridge was completed into our downtown. Why would a bridge be built there if there was not a creek, stream, spring and or ditch/arroyo? Spring, for sure on South side.
Given that the majority of City Council,Parks and Recreation Commissioners/others would welcome the complete annihilation of Lion’s Wayside Park’s character, without creating alternative plans to utilize this parks benefits in a compromising manner, that takes in consideration all age groups and history.
It was suggested that if the tree were to be cut down, its core trunk was large enough to craft/carve create an actual historical volume of info into ring area. Hell…! We could show within its timeline of rings, when Tim Hunts house was built. Just saying.
The tree is a safety concern, for sure. But the outreach to save the integrity of park, itself, has been a cluster…. to say the least.
Lies and deceit have followed the specific plan for this park. Would never, as it stands, vote in an existing/former Parks and Recreation Commissioner for our Mayor/City Council.
Oh, and btw, perhaps tear down the Century House on Santa Rita…considering it’s nothing but a backdrop for a used car dealership…just saying…!!! sarcastim…
Leave the city alone!
Let them cut it down!
It takes an act of GOD to get the city to remove a tree or trim it up.
The city owned trees all up and down my neighborhood have buckled curbs, gutters, and side walks. In the last twenty years the city has replaced the curbs, gutters, and side walks three times because of the city owned tree roots.
The roots of the city owned tree in front of my home ruptured the water line on my side of the meter, it cost me $3K to repair, the city did not reimburse to cover my expense.
Pete, could you highlight the lies and deceit involving the renovation plan for Lion Wayside Park, please? Inquiring minds would like to know. thanks
The shocking truth is things eventually die, including trees. From experience, the City and Commissions resist big tree removals and often take extra measures to preserve trees despite failing health. Sad, but even sadder is if someone where killed by a falling limb! Or pruning the tree so it looks like something alien. Appears it’s time to remove it despite childhood memories and make the park safer. We also have no problem removing the ditch and making the lawn larger for concerts.
justwondering, sent two short videos to Pleasanton Weekly. If they post them for your inquiring mind/s, relating to the whole picture, then read the plan…and apply. Thanks.
Jeremy Walsh…
@Pete – Let me correct you as a current member of the Parks and Recreation Commission that our commission’s only interest is adding to the charm of Wayside Park. The combined Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks project which began 5 yrs ago has been paused for over a year. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board has not issued an approval for the project to continue.
Would suggest once the project comes back to the Parks and Rec Commission and then later the City Council speak your concerns to both bodies about your Wayside Park concerns.
People’s lives are worth a lot more than a Eucalyptus tree!
You know Chuck, the logs taken from the Blue Gum Eucalyptus, planted prior to Pleasanton’s incorporation, of 1894, could of/would/should be considered for benches within the City…as old growth hardwood is certainly a viable alternative, for ever lasting historic value.
Looking at the stump as I write, an artist carving could be of a hand of opportunity that Pleasanton once reinforced with its outreach. But charm is the new term, I guess.
Take care…
And for that matter Chuck, the Parks and Recreation people should be down there…at Lion’s Wayside Park.
Commissioning the Blue Gum Eucalyptus to channel history through would be charming…wouldn’t you say?
Identifying both pandemics 1917-2020, all the World Wars/others as well, first women mayor, deaths of King,Kennedy/Kennedy, depression/droughts….you name it…tree core has it.
It might even identify you and me as paperboys, you in the 70’s(downtown) me in the 60’s(everywhere else) at some point.
As for taking concerns to you/s and or council…you see…you cut tree down with little notice. Later…
Having viewed the recent city council meeting, the Blue Gum Eucalyptus tree removal was discussed. Some of my own thoughts were brought up about what could become of the wood…considering old growth wood tends to adapt and last longer than less aged wood. Would like to thank council for the discussion.
What concerns me/others is the only outreach was by social media the week prior…as is the word. So one/two days before cutdown, the Pleasanton Weekly outreaches to the Community. Thank You for that…!
Our largest tree represented the equivalent to a big trees type experiance…especially with children for pictures with friends/family/brothers/sisters. The fact that the lead time, during a covid pandemic left little time for some pictures with family. Mind you, I am neither sad/angry about it’s removal, only about timing.
This was not a developer who uses Thanksgiving or Christmas to try and limit participation. This was not 911 when everyone is trying to sort out what has happened and reset for future. So…what next…?
In an election year, it is evident that no one, not one council member, commission member running for office, city official took the personal responsibility to notify our city/citizens/residents…only by social media.
So… what happens next time…? Opening Costco before the infrastructure is complete…? And then realizing that it is an underestimated traffic cluster…. ! Now the Las Positas Interchange comes back into play. Our housing cap didn’t work effectively after voting for one…although over the years, we had some sort of housing cap to follow. The Eastside Specific plan during covid. Costco during covid. Personally, public art vs a live historic tree…? No contest! You could of waited. What next…? What next…?
This council should maintain what we have now…perfectly…before they go onto something else. Trust is a factor and gets worse year by year these days. “All Lives Matter” Liability was a factor for sure.
Pete, it’s a non-native albeit big tree that has falling limbs and is a fire bomb (remember the Oakland Hills fire storm). Eucalyptus is known for unstable shallow roots. Obviously not good in a now active park. And the ditch is a surface drainage swale with a seasonal runoff flow. I believe it is culverted running through a concrete pipe before and after the park with little vegetation so why get so upset about filling in to create a bigger useable park?
I think any candidate advocating to stall the process is not accepting of change plain and simple
“Electing leaders takes an educated citizenry”
Why was the Independent the newspaper that quoted some Pleasanton leadership about protocol…to remove heritage tree…?
Pleasanton’s own tree that gave everything it could muster. And the City couldn’t even salvage a stump. How does that play with no more hide-in-seek…? Or, I’m going to get you…! The tree was never alone…squirrels, crows and heron but a few.
But we get older, allowing bureaucrats to decide what’s best. Who runs the City…? You know the rest.
Elect leadership who continues to learn…not ones who are working for the Firm.
Smile often, Lead-don’t follow, Be kind to all living things, Don’t allow the small stuff to bother you, there is much beauty in this world, look around, you will see it in the places you never expected to.
Not even a Stump…
I’m looking forward to the replacement trees no doubt being planted which will be native and placed in suitable locations. Remember, even our beloved Christmas Tree on Main Street bit the dust finally but was replaced with another tree to be loved by future generations. These are tough decisions because even most politicians are fond of trees despite contrary accusations.
I forgot. Remember the iconic big Danville oak?? That City spent approx $50,000 back then if not more responding to upset residents to install a support structure (“the oak tree walker”) trying to keep it stable and delay it’s demise. The old “Save the Tree“ exercise for parents to teach their child a civics lessons. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud involvement and love nature but everyone just ignored the science and discounted the expert analyses. Think of how many more trees could have been planted with that money
RonnieF,
Danville got 20 more years out of the tree, and it’s not completely gone even now.
All told, most people consider it a reasonable decision and result.
For a Eucalyptus, no freaking way.
Dbrower, I agree with you. But the concrete towers around the Danville oak tree which was also in a median in a busy street seems like a big amount.