Ficus Wars!

From the Inbox:

A group of Encinitas residents have been working on preserving the ficus trees in Downtown Encinitas through identifying them as Heritage Trees. We have already lost most of the Leucadia treescape on 101, and the ficus trees on 2nd and 3rd Streets could also be in jeopardy if steps are not taken to preserve them. Lisa Shaffer and Teresa Barth both wrote emails to undermine advocates' position to protect these trees as a cherished and valuable resource that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors to our community. They are doing so by disregarding the feelings that people have about these trees and also taking a very narrow interpretation of the topic.

The Shaffer and Barth letters:

I am writing about the ficus trees on 2nd street and the request for them to be designated as heritage trees. As one of the authors and proponents of the updated urban forest ordinance and the creation of the city arborist and UFAC, I feel obliged to respond to the assertions by some in the community about what was intended.

There was never any intent that the UFAC was a decision-making body (hence the name “Advisory Committee”) nor that they would be a rubber stamp. The ordinance provides guidelines for designation of a heritage tree, but does not automatically grant that status to a tree meeting the criteria – it sets up a review process. The UFAC is asked to consider applications and make recommendations to the Planning Commission. They may take into account any number of factors, including, but not limited to meeting the criteria in the heritage tree definition. Other considerations may also come into play – that is why they, and the City Arborist, who all have expertise beyond that of the average citizen or Council member, are in this review process. We never envisioned a whole block of trees having heritage status, and, on the other hand, we did envision long-term planning and a holistic view of the landscape in a corridor so that an orderly transition to appropriate and sustainable trees and other plantings could be implemented.

I’m disappointed that the UFAC’s original vote on the ficus trees was re-opened as it brings uncertainty and frustration about when a recommendation is actually a recommendation that the City can act upon. I encourage you to develop a long-term plan that includes a time-phased removal of the ficus trees that are clearly not an appropriate specie for that location, and their replacement with trees and other plantings that can maintain the beauty of the corridor while encouraging biodiversity and creating habitat for critical native species from pollinators to birds of prey.

Please listen to the experts you have engaged. Heritage tree designation should not be a popularity contest or decided by the loudest voices. It should be a special designation used infrequently for especially significant trees, and not abused to undermine good ecological planning.

Thanks.

Lisa

To All:

I am writing about the ficus trees on 2nd Street and the request to designate them as Heritage Trees.

Having been a member of the city council when the idea of creating a Heritage Tree designation was first proposed, I wanted to share with you some background on that discussion.

The purpose of the designation was to recognize and protect unique and significant specimens such as the stately Norfolk pine on the corner of 4th & C Streets overlooking Moonlight Beach.

During the discussion, there was concern that by nominating a tree it would some how limit a person’s private property rights or be used to prevent private or public development. There was also concern that a designated tree could later become a hazard for any number of reasons. That is why the process has numerous steps for approval, including a review by a professional arborist, and a process to remove a tree from the listing. In the case of the 2nd Street ficus trees, it appears the process is being manipulated. Furthermore, I am a weekly volunteer at the Community Resource Center on 2nd Street. The ficus trees create a significant public safety hazard. The sidewalk becomes slippery from the accumulated leaves, seeds and other debris from the trees. The roots have created cracks and uneven sections in the sidewalk.

I do understand the value of street trees and the emotional connection people have with them. Unfortunately, the ficus are the wrong trees planted in the wrong place. The ficus trees on 2nd street are not native or unique nor do they have any historical significance. The prior proposal to remove trees over time and replace them with a variety of more appropriate trees would preserve the visual appeal of a ‘tree-lined street’ and add bio-diversity without the public safety and property damage now occurring.

The request to list these trees as Heritage Trees should be denied.

Sincerely,
Teresa Arballo Barth