One Oak Saved, but Others Lost

On the Orange County Digest page (Oct. 9), you ran a picture with the caption “Up a Tree.” I was particularly interested in the description with the picture because I live in Coto de Caza.

The only reason that the Coto de Caza Development Co. “decided” to save the tree was that it was far cheaper than modifying its development plans. The Coto de Caza Development Co. has, in the past eight years that I have lived in “Coto,” killed and/or removed almost 30 mature coast live oak trees. Most of these trees were about the size and age (70 tons and 150 years old) of the one pictured. Just during the last two years, 12 oak trees were removed from the community youth park alone; this was due to extensive watering to establish the golf course. Several more oaks were knocked down, often under cover of darkness, during construction of the same course.

Now the Coto de Caza Development Co. gets publicity for making the decision to save one oak tree! It may cost the company $100,000; however, it is still cheaper than disturbing its development plans. The tree itself is worth much more than $100,000 because it cannot be replaced. None of the others were replaced either; they simply planted some very small oaks where they fit with the development plans and they even managed to kill several of these by overwatering.

Orange County has no oak preservation ordinance, even though the county is home to some of the most extensive groves of mature coast live oak trees in the state. Especially in the southern part of the county, where there is so much development taking place, it seems as though we should concentrate on preserving some of the native landscape.

HOWARD O. KIEFFER

Coto de Caza