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Mission tree’s last stand?
The city designated it a heritage tree in 1986, but it’s damaging old adobe walls; city commission to decide its fate July 23
Mission San Luis Obispo is seeking city permission to remove a 44-year-old floss silk tree at the top of the steps facing Mission Plaza.
The Roman Catholic church said the tree’s roots have torn up the sidewalk and stairs at the mission and that the subsequent raised sidewalk drains water to the adobe walls of the mission.
But city officials want more information on the tree’s history and value before they approve its removal, particularly because the silk tree is one of just 21 designated “heritage trees” in San Luis Obispo.
In recent years, the city has lost six heritage trees to such removals, said Keith Pellemeier, the city’s urban forest maintenance supervisor.
The city has allowed heritage designations for trees since 1971 in a program that is not widely used. Heritage trees are those with notable historic interest or of an unusual species or size. The floss silk became a heritage tree in 1986.
The mission is undergoing earthquake-safety retrofitting, including work on the roof and museum gift shop near the tree. The church remains open.
John Fowler, the project manager for the retrofitting and remodeling, said the steps and side-walk had to be repaired about 14 years ago because of damage from the tree’s roots. And the roots are damaging the stairs and sidewalk once again.
“It is one of those things where our arborist has told us this is going to be the case forever with it breaking the sidewalk,” Fowler said.
He said the drainage issue has caused moisture buildup and deterioration in the wall near the tree.
The San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was hesitant at its June 25 meeting to grant permission to remove the floss silk, with members saying it was unfortunate there was even a removal request because the tree is an attractive landmark. The issue will come back to the committee July 23.
Pellemeier said the committee asked for more information from the church and city staff on the tree’s importance. If it is approved for removal, the committee also wants suggestions on how the loss could be made up.
The tree is a fine specimen and in good health, Pellemeier said.
The mission arborist has estimated that it would cost $30,000 to take out the tree and move it to a location that has not been determined, Fowler said. But he said the church would only consider that if the service were donated.
He does not know how much it would cost to repair the sidewalk and stairs.
Fowler said the church is considering proposing an herb garden on the grounds as one mitigation for removing the tree, or possibly putting olive trees in the Catholic cemetery.
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Originally Posted by Yurt
