ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Some TLC for Santa Ana Trees

Trees can be annoying. Their roots sometimes push through the ground, rudely shoving aside even concrete sidewalks. They drop leaves and needles on lawns, sidewalks and vehicles. As a haven for birds, they generate droppings that are even more annoying.

But trees are worth the trouble, especially in Southern California, where the sunshine can be unforgiving. Without them, neighborhoods look vacant if they’re newer, or exposed if they’re older. Trees add beauty to the landscape as well as value to property.

Residents of Cabrillo Park Drive in Santa Ana are aware of this. They organized to fight City Hall to preserve 132 liquidambar trees that were weeks from being cut down because they were causing damage to sidewalks.

On hearing of the plan, residents quickly organized the 400-member Trees Living on Cabrillo Park (TLC) Alliance and testified before the City Council. That brought city staff and residents together to iron out a plan that would save more than half the trees by installing meandering sidewalks around them to accommodate their roots, and also by shaving the roots of other trees. Efforts are being made to save the rest of the trees as well.

But the job is not yet complete. Residents need to approve a ballot measure to be voted on sometime in the next two months that would give the city a five-foot easement near several condominium and apartment complexes.

That will require two-thirds approval of those voting, which means that TLC will need to educate area residents on the importance of a Yes vote. Also, as became apparent this week, TLC will need to keep a sharp eye on the root-shaving being done to certain trees to make sure their survival is not jeopardized.

Given the quick response of the alliance, however, it’s unlikely anyone would go out on a limb to predict anything but a happy ending for this tree story.