True Dirt

the Tree Reviewer

Kathy of Cold Climate Gardening expressed surprise that I would even get notice of my neighbor's intent to cut down his trees (see comments from yesterday's post). I guess I was a bit surprised myself to get the letter. I know that Oakland has tree ordinances because I've been on the wrong side of some of them. But Rich did a little research and found Oakland's "tree cutting" ordinance. Thank you Rich!

A tree removal permit, if one is required, shall be authorized by the Tree Reviewer

A permit is required to cut down a "protected tree" which is defined as: "On any property, Quercus agrifolia (California or Coast Live Oak) measuring four inches dbh or larger, and any other tree measuring nine inches dbh or larger except Eucalyptus and Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine)." (Too bad for the poor Monterey pines and Eucalypts.)

And the city is required to notify neighboring property owners that a permit to cut such trees has been applied for. I (or the presumed owner of my rented property) did get a letter but it just said the next door neighbor "...has applied for a Tree Removal Permit to remove the following tree(s): Six (6) Trees."

It also said I could appeal any decision about the permit after filing a $50 fee within 5 days of the date of the permit decision. And I had until June 29, 2005 to contact the city about "information regarding the issuance or denial of Tree Removal Permit.

Well, I did call. But the person on the other end of the line didn't know what trees were being cut down either. I didn't know until I saw the red signs. I did take photographs of the signs and mocked up a flyer to print and stuff in neighborhood mailboxes. More on that later. I think it's time for me to get to know my city Tree Reviewer.

Meanwhile, back in the garden... this morning I stuck some "mid-summer revival" plants in the dirt to liven up things in the heat wilted, dried up pots and borders. Only because I happened to be in the vicinity of "Berkeley Hort" on an unsuccessful errand and was lured into the Neiman Marcus of plant stores. Dropped a small fortune on bright things and herbs--nothing fancy. One interesting find: a Mexican marigold, not a cultivar, with a tangy citrus (described by many as tangerine) scent when the leaves are touched or brushed by. It stands about a foot and has grey green feathery foliage. Tagetes lemonii. "Mt. Lemon marigold is named after John G. Lemmon (1832-1908) who first collected this plant for cultivation in 1882 from the Huachuca Mountains in Cochise County, AZ." from the website of Prof. Chris A. Martin at the University of Southern Arizona.

And that makes my day. I once took a trip to the Huachuca Mtns. with a band of crazed birdwatchers. We went to find the Coppery Tailed Trogon. But that is another story.

Posted by briggs at July 26, 2005 5:08 PM