City Soon to Be 999 Oaks

It outlived Jungleland wild animal park and survived the development of the Conejo Valley, before becoming a prominent feature in Thousand Oaks’ Civic Arts Plaza complex eight years ago

But Oak No. 139, four stories tall and more than 200 years old, will fall Saturday, a victim of decades of oak root fungus.

“As much as I love trees, I know it has to go,” said George Moore, an oak consultant to the city for the last 32 years. “In my opinion, it’s extremely hazardous now. In a heavy wind it could topple and fall, or twist and break.”

Moore said the oak already was ailing when City Hall was built.

Days before the building opened in September 1994, a neighboring oak about 50 feet away toppled into the parking lot. A review of its rings showed it to be 250 years old. Moore believes No. 139 is from the same era, possibly an offspring.

The trees were on the site of the former Jungleland wild animal park, which opened in the 1920s and closed in 1969. The site continued to be used for commercial purposes until the city stepped in.

Despite considerable discussion about the health of No. 139 when it was diagnosed with root fungus in the early 1980s, Moore suggested the city give it a chance because the tree continued to grow a full green canopy and showed no outward signs of decay or other health problems.

Today, the roots and trunk have been weakened by the fungus, the volume of leaves has diminished and bark has begun to shed. A review by two other arborists since last fall confirmed that the tree’s days were numbered.

Once the approximately 45-foot tree was determined to pose a hazard, facilities manager Tom Hare said the city thought it best to remove it as soon as possible. An open metal grate that surrounds the tree’s base will be filled in until a replacement plan is worked out.

City Councilwoman Claudia Bill-de la Pena urged her colleagues last week to move swiftly to devise a list of options for replacing No. 139.

“It’s obvious the tree is a liability,” she said, “We’d like to replace that with another majestic oak tree ... but it’s not an ideal location for a tree. The well it sits in affects its root structure. We’ll have to look into that to see what can be done.”

Moore said that building around the tree did not accelerate its demise.

The valley oak, or Quercus lobata, doesn’t require an extensive area for its roots and it was treated with fungicide along with regular care and watering. “We actually probably prolonged its life,” Moore said.

Bill-de la Pena said she wants to hear from residents before deciding what to do and favors a public hearing to discuss alternatives.

“We’ve got to come up with the best of all the ideas,” Hare said.

“The main thing, as far as liability is concerned, is that you don’t want a tree that drops lots of leaves or berries, which leads to slips and falls. You want something that’s easily maintained, hardy and doesn’t need too much sunlight,” he said.

Moore said he prefers a tree to a fountain, artwork or other inorganic feature at City Hall’s entrance. Two possibilities are a mature oak or sycamore with surrounding plantings and a park bench, he said.

The landscape architect said the city could purchase a 20- to 30-foot oak for about $20,000 or one more than 40 feet tall for as much as $50,000.

Councilman Dennis Gillette said local developers have successfully transplanted mature trees and someone may be willing to donate a large one to replace No. 139.

“The oak tree is so symbolic of our community,” Gillette said. “If at all possible, my preference would be to see a tree of substance go back there.”

Tom Mitze, director of the Civic Plaza theaters, will join Moore, Hare and representatives from the city manager’s office in devising options for replacing the lost oak.

“I think everyone at the city is going to miss that tree, especially those of us at City Hall,” he said.