Board urges remediation after unpermitted tree removals at United Nations Plaza; departments to plant replacement trees and consider mitigation

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on Oct. 8 considered appeal 25‑057 from the Tenderloin Tree Campaign challenging Public Works’ order to remove three trees at United Nations Plaza and the circumstances of their removal. The board denied the appeal 3‑0 but pressed city departments for stronger mitigation and public outreach after evidence that some removals occurred before the 15‑day appeal period expired.

Tenderloin Tree Campaign representative Josh Klipp told the board the removals were tied to Rec and Park’s design for a new skate‑park footprint and that an email from a senior park official pushed removal without a documented tree evaluation or public‑process conclusion. The appellant said the city’s own process was circumvented and asked the board to press departments for accountability, reengagement and meaningful mitigation, and to recognize longtime volunteer tree stewards Michael and John Nolte.

Responding,…