Santa Paula Street camphor tree to remain as study launched
May 13, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Community fears that a more than 100-year-old tall camphor tree will be cut down can calm after a city representative said the tree is not being removed and as the issue will be subject to a study and talks with the nearby property owner that sought it’s removal.
According to Interim Public Works Director Brian Yanez, the tree located on the 700 block of East Santa Paula Street has prompted complaints from an adjacent homeowner for more than a year.
“The gentleman has been complaining for more than a year about his driveway,” being damaged by the tree’s roots, and “he filed a claim with the city…we’ve been looking at it and trying to figure out what to do.”
An arborist will also be called to examine the tree.
Trees have been removed in the city and in recent weeks a public utility trimmed many trees in residential areas.
Yanez said the drought has killed several city trees that were not watered by those living on the other side of the sidewalk.
The city does not have an irrigation system for sidewalk trees and has always relied on residents to take care of the watering needs for those closest to the curb.
The possibility that the tree could be cut down caused frenzy on Facebook with people talking about circulating petitions and even chaining themselves to the camphor to prevent it from being destroyed.
Said Yanez, “We won’t do anything until we get an arborist in,” and see what can be done about the damage the tree is doing to the private property as well as the sidewalk.
“Santa Paula is rightfully known for its beautiful trees and we always take care of them as best as we can…none are ever removed,” said Yanez, “except for a good reason and then only after the situation is studied.”
