Cutting Down Trees Splits Neighbors at Scripps Ranch

Cutting Down Trees Splits Neighbors:
A decision to cut down more than 50 eucalyptus trees at a Scripps Ranch condominium complex has Split neighbors.
The trees were to be cut by week’s end at the request of the homeowners association at The Grove condominiums after some fell and damaged homes during recent rains.
Some in the 146-unit complex say the association’s board of directors is exaggerating the threat and rushed to a decision without getting more comment from residents. They have demonstrated and posted signs on trees that say “Please don’t kill me!!!”
Carla Ponce, a spokeswoman for the complex’s property manager, said 57 trees were targeted for immediate removal because they were “too close to homes.” An additional 149 have been marked for monitoring, she said, and probly will be removed in the future. Melaluca and tristania trees will be planted in place of the removed trees, Ponce said.
In December a tree fell into a home in the neighborhood, damaging the garage and living room. Later, more toppled trees damaged the back decks of four homes, Ponce said. On Feb. 2 the board held an emergency meeting and voted 5-0 to remove trees that posed the most danger, acting on the advice of an insurance carrier, lawyer, on-site contractor and tree-removal professionals, Ponce said.
Hamilton said residents were not able to register their concerns until the regular monthly association meeting last week. By then it was too late to stop the cutting.
Elsewhere in Scripps Ranch, the city this month began cutting selected eucalyptus trees for fire safety reasons. The city began cutting early last year but stopped because of community concerns and is now focusing on removing dead and dying trees at a test site on the northeast corner of Pomerado and Willow Creek roads, said San Diego Fire Marshal Frankie Murphy.
Will Lofft, president of Save Our Scripps Ranch Trees, said his group is supporting the opponents of the cutting, but it is limited in what it can do because the trees are on private property.
Hamilton said her group will continue the fight.
Those trees were were planted by the Scripps family over 100 years ago.


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