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Albany urban forester recommends thinning and selective removals; city parks face overcrowded plantings
Summary
Urban Forester John Hawkerage presented an inspection of Terrace Park and Ocean View Park, recommending pruning across dozens of trees, selective removal of invasive black acacia stands and at least one dying Monterey pine; commissioners discussed phased removal, native replacements and possible policy changes for private trees
John Hawkerage, Albany’s urban forester, told the Parks and Recreation Commission he recently completed tree inventories and assessments at Ocean View Park and Terrace Park and offered pruning and selective‑removal recommendations.
Hawkerage said his assessment identified roughly 84 trees in the reviewed area and flagged site‑specific concerns: overcrowding in Ocean View’s redwood grove, soil compaction near redwoods, root uplift cracking pavement, invasive black acacia stands and several trees in decline that may need removal. He identified approximately six black acacias as candidates for removal, noted about six redwoods as potential removals in some locations, and described one Monterey pine that “almost definitely should be removed.”
“Part of the problem in Ocean View Park is overcrowding,” Hawkerage said, noting redwoods planted close together and dense plantings along the western fence line. He recommended pruning to raise canopies and reduce hazard from heavy lower branches, and selective thinning to give slower‑growing, higher‑value species room to develop.
Hawkerage showed photos of root uplift that has begun to crack asphalt near the southeast corner of Ocean View and said some London plane trees along the ball field need canopy raising. In Terrace Park he identified two dead trees requiring removal, 18 trees needing pruning and several spaces suitable for replanting, including opportunities for California native species.
Commissioners asked about long‑term management and the city’s street‑tree management plan; Hawkerage said street‑tree policy is separate but that the commission’s recommendations on park trees can be proactive and staged. Several commissioners and staff emphasized phased removals rather than a single “logging” operation, with worse candidates removed first and replacement plantings planned in advance.
Public commenters and some commissioners expressed concern about private trees and the lack of an ordinance to regulate homeowner removals; staff said a street‑tree management plan being considered by the City Council includes recommendations on private‑tree processes but no ordinance has yet been adopted.
Hawkerage and commissioners also discussed the city’s inventory numbering system, missing tags, and the need to retag trees. The commission did not take an immediate vote on removals at the meeting but discussed next steps, including more detailed removal lists, thinning plans and coordination with maintenance crews.
