Rebellion Sprouts Over Tree Policy

Editor,

At last week’s City Council meeting, our city manager admitted that he and Ann Christoph and one or more members of Village Laguna met to discuss possible changes to city policy on emergency tree issues. Why only them? When two “outside” professional arborists decide that a tree is dead or diseased and beyond salvation – then cutting down is an appropriate action. Someone suggested that the city should have two arborists, Village Laguna have two arborists and maybe another independent one. Who is going to pay for all of this?  Another suggestion: if an old large tree is removed then an equivalent should be planted in its place or somewhere else.

Trees live and die. Humans have interfered with this process. We bring in non-native plants like eucalyptus and try to make them sacred. They were planted because they grew fast (and still do) and were cheap (still are). Nobody said anything about how inappropriate they are especially in Southern California. With so many issues in our city, in our county, in our state, in our country, and of course the world, why does Village Laguna raise the animosity level of this town by many degrees with its obsession of eucalyptus trees?

I have requested to be invited to future meetings to listen and speak for the rest of us who live in Laguna Beach.  I also think that Village Laguna should take the proceeds of their Charm House Tour and use it to pay for any damage to private or city property and of course for any loss of limb or life due to eucalyptus trees. Taxpayers should not be burdened by their excessive obsession.

Finally, they should not use the proceeds to make political contributions unless they inform the public.

Ganka Brown, Laguna Beach