VENTURA : Official Proposes Tree Protection Law

A Ventura city councilman has proposed an ordinance that would protect trees on private property after learning that a developer uprooted 15 eucalyptus trees on the east side of the city.

But City Arborist Jerry Revard isn’t sure that such a law is necessary.

“I can unequivocally say I support our policies in preserving significant trees . . .” Revard said Wednesday, “but the laws that are already in place may be sufficient if they’re properly enforced.”

Trees on public property are protected from destruction, since they are the property of the city or county in which they are located, officials said.

Councilman Gary Tuttle, supported by other council members, asked City Atty. Pete Bulens to draft the tree-protection ordinance after learning that a housing developer, Cherrie Construction Co., had uprooted 15 eucalyptus trees near the Harmon Barranca.

The state Department of Fish and Game, which has jurisdiction over trees and foliage in the barranca, is investigating the case. Krishan Lal, a projects review coordinator with the department, said criminal charges could be filed against the company for destroying the trees without a permit, though restitution agreements are often reached.

Executives of the construction firm did not return phone calls.

Tuttle, considered a leading environmentalist on the council, said, “I’m not looking to make it impossible to ever remove a tree, but I feel City Hall should be alerted when somebody is planning to do so. A tree is a thing of beauty; it even helps our health by providing oxygen.”

The destroyed trees, Tuttle said, provided shelter to red fox, owls and “even a buck deer.” He added that monarch butterflies were also known to visit the area, west of Kimball Road between Foothill and Telegraph roads.

Bulens said he probably will draft a law similar to one that is in force in Mountain View, where he formerly served as city attorney.

The council will consider the ordinance sometime this summer, Bulens said.

In Thousand Oaks, which has a tree-preservation law that is often cited as a model, the city’s forester, Bill Elmendorf, said an ordinance protecting oak trees has been in effect since 1972.