Burlingame calls itself the City of Trees, but if Caltrans has their way it soon will be far from that. Caltrans claims that nearly all the stately eucalyptus that line El Camino Real are diseased and are a safety risk. They are planning to clear cut over 160 trees to make the world safer for us. The alternative, says Caltrans, is for the city to take over responsibility for the trees including the potential liability.
Mayor Coffey seems to accept the trees demise as a fait accompli, but candidates Cohen, Nagel and Andersen, along with incumbent councilmember Janney say the trees should stay.
Mayor Coffey seems to accept the trees demise as a fait accompli, but candidates Cohen, Nagel and Andersen, along with incumbent councilmember Janney say the trees should stay.
- Written by admin
Whats more important?....Trees or people...I vote for people and safety.
Posted by: carole | August 14, 2003 at 08:19 PM
I think both are important.
When did a tree hurt a person, expect when someone crashed into it.
Tell me how removing trees makes the world a safer place?
Posted by: Jeremy | August 15, 2003 at 03:45 AM
These trees were planted when Burlingame was a small country town, and El Camino was a rural country road. We live in an urban area now, and El Camino is a major "highway". As much as I love trees, all "domestic" trees must come down at some point. Just read about Golden Gate Park trees. They are all being replaced. The question is what type of tree should Caltrans use to replace the current trees?
As for safety - dead and dying trees kill people all the time, particularly in winter storms. I would rather see the trees go, than read (or experience) the death of a single person from the current trees.
Let's agree on good replacement trees and move on! (Why not native California oaks?)
Posted by: Michael | August 15, 2003 at 04:04 PM