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Trees getting cut back for sake of advertising
04/28/09 3:37 PM PDT
The potential death of city trees, in the name of art and advertising, will be the topic of discussion this evening at the Urban Forestry Council.
Trees blocking billboards have had their tops lopped off in order to allow motorists a better look the advertisements, oftentimes illegally and in the dead of night, according to tree advocates and The City’s Bureau of Urban Forestry.
San Francisco has a public-works ordinance protecting street trees from being trimmed excessively or taken down entirely. But word is that the trimmings have increased recently, and the council could take steps to raise the fine for cutting street trees without a permit.
Tree advocates are also concerned that an exhibit by artist Patrick Dougherty could harm the trees in the Civic Center Plaza, and a March 31 arborist report seems to validate those worries.
The exhibit includes 18,000 pounds of freshly cut willow saplings interwoven in the sycamore treetops in the center. The arborist’s report calls for the immediate removal of the exhibit because it could not only cause the Sycamores to tumble in high winds but also prevents them from getting all the sun they should.
The Urban Forestry Council is expected to make a recommendation about the art exhibit to The City’s Arts Commission Tuesday at 6 p.m.
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