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Commission votes to follow arborist guidance, increase oversight of three Wildwood eucalyptus trees
Summary
The Piedmont Park Commission voted to follow the 2024 arborist recommendation to prune — not remove — three red-flowering gum (eucalyptus) street trees at 185 Wildwood, and directed extra vigilance including a tighter inspection/pruning schedule and cross-street review.
The Piedmont Park Commission voted to follow the 2024 arborist recommendation and prune three red‑flowering gum (eucalyptus) street trees near 185 Wildwood Avenue, while calling for increased inspection and expedited pruning.
Dave Johnson, a commissioner, moved that the commission “follow the arborist report at this time” and look at additional safety steps; Barbara Giuffre proposed an amendment calling for heightened vigilance and more frequent inspections. Jack Fisher seconded the amendment and commissioners approved the motion by voice vote. Staff told the commission the 2024 report (HortScience and Bartlett Consulting) found the trees vigorous but recommended canopy pruning and monitoring of a basal wound caused by a vehicle impact.
Neighbors who live adjacent to the trees urged removal. “These eucalyptus trees are approaching a 100 years old… they’re disrupting the sidewalk and our foundation,” said Ronald Lopez, who said his family documents multiple fallen limbs and property damage. Angela Kurikas, who identified herself as a former deputy city attorney, urged removal on public‑safety and liability grounds: “Don’t wait for a catastrophic event… take those trees out.”
Staff (Nancy) told the commission the arborists used standard risk‑assessment forms and that the recent report did not recommend immediate removal. The staff presentation noted the trees were previously evaluated in 2019 and pruned as part of the city’s maintenance program in 2021; staff said they have obtained bids to perform a focused pruning sooner than the regular citywide pruning cycle.
The commission’s recommendation is procedural: it directs staff to follow the arborist’s pruning recommendation while increasing inspection frequency and taking “practicable” steps to reduce risk in this high‑priority location. The municipal code provision governing street trees (Municipal Code §3.18) allows the city to act if a tree poses an imminent hazard; staff confirmed no imminent‑hazard declaration had been made at the time of the meeting.
The next step is for staff to schedule the focused pruning and report back on implementation and any additional arborist findings.
