IRVINE : Old Trees Given Reprieve by Council

The death warrant had already been signed.

But the emotional pleas for clemency Tuesday continued late into the night.

Finally, after 2 1/2 hours of testimony, the City Council issued a narrow reprieve.

By a 3-2 vote, 250 old, crippled trees were given a new lease on life--provided that each passes a health exam and is not too close to a back yard or the site of a future pedestrian trail.

The council’s decision overturns its unanimous vote two weeks ago to uproot the 250 historic eucalyptus trees to make way for younger trees along a proposed landscaped trail. Trail plans call for a meandering, lighted concrete path along a narrow, 1.4-mile-long strip among homes in the Northwood community. Under the current proposal, it would raise property taxes $74 a year over the next five years for Northwood residents.

The land once held a railroad spur to citrus packinghouses but has since become what some neighbors call the “Northwood brown belt.”

Some residents had feared that the older trees would pose a danger to pedestrians who use the new trail. They said the trees commonly drop heavy limbs and cause drainage problems for residents.

Other Northwood residents said the trees are a beautiful part of the community and deserve to live.

Eventually, three council members changed their minds about removing the trees in the face of conflicting testimony about the potential dangers.

Meanwhile, the testimony turned into a clash of the tree experts.

One tree expert from San Diego told the council that the eucalyptus trees had been topped 10 years ago. Consequently, the trees sprout weak branches that break off easily.

Eucalyptus trees trimmed that badly “begin to just rain limbs” when those weak branches get too big, said tree trimmer John Sevier, who has testified in past lawsuits involving damage caused by eucalyptus trees.

The city’s own tree expert, urban forester Clay Martin, told the council that the trees had been horribly trimmed but could be rehabilitated through proper trimming and care.

“Compared to other trees around the city, they are safe,” Martin said.

With council members Barry J. Hammond and Bill Vardoulis dissenting, the council voted to save as many of the trees as possible. However, at least 50 will probably be removed because of their poor health or proximity to homes near the proposed trail, Martin said.