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Board grants removal of large ash at 42 Lippert; requires two replacement street trees
Summary
Owners at 42 Lippert appealed a denial to remove a large ash tree that they said had top‑heavy growth and roots damaging sidewalk and gate access; Urban Forestry staff recommended removal and the board approved the permit on condition the appellants plant two 24‑inch box street trees nearby.
The Board of Appeals voted on Nov. 14 to grant an appeal allowing removal of a large Fraxinus (ash) tree at 42 Lippert Avenue, conditioned on the planting of two street trees nearby.
Property owner William Hicks told the board the ash had grown into the driveway and reduced the sidewalk width to 27 inches, creating an accessibility and trip hazard for residents, some of whom use walkers. He described repeated root damage to gates and a previous water‑line replacement. "This tree consumes all available space," Hicks said, and argued earlier mitigation efforts would not prevent the roots from continuing to encroach.
Chris Buck, San Francisco Urban Forester, acknowledged the tree’s long history of maintenance by the owners but said department review found the tree’s placement over utilities and its vigorous growth made long‑term repairs unlikely to restore an ADA‑compliant path. Buck recommended removal and proposed the appellants plant two 24‑inch box street trees in the nearest suitable locations and assist with establishment watering for three years.
After public comment and a rebuttal from the appellants (one speaker described recent thefts and concerns with a latching gate), Commissioner Honda moved to grant the appeal and overturn the Public Works order denying removal, directing Bureau of Urban Forestry to issue a removal permit on the condition that the appellants plant two 24‑inch box street trees as close to the subject property as possible with species and locations to be approved by the bureau. The motion carried by recorded vote.
Quote: "Removal would be reasonable," Urban Forester Chris Buck said, while noting the agency’s reluctance to remove mature canopy when avoidable.
