By Mike Hazlip—
After a week-long delay following criticism over the project, arborist crews began the removal of more than a dozen eucalyptus trees along Old Auburn Road Thursday.
Crews from West Coast Arborists were seen removing the trees Thursday afternoon. The walking path was closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic while work continued.
Emails from the city show the work was initially scheduled for March 14 through 16 but the city held off to address concerns raised by at least one resident that the 16 trees would be removed without community input or an environmental impact report.
A city official met with residents of Citrus Heights Area Seven Eight and Nine (CHASEN) to address the concerns and further explain the need to remove the trees, according to CHASEN president Kathy Morris.
Morris said the city has been responsive to the community’s concerns, but there was no alternative to removing the trees. She told The Sentinel in a previous report the trees are an invasive species and can be removed without an environmental impact report.
The tree removal project was slated to be completed Friday. The total number of trees that were ultimately removed was unable to be confirmed by The Sentinel. New trees will be planted at the site, according to an update from CHASEN.
The Sentinel previously reported the trees are near power lines and a bike path and have had branches reportedly breaking at an increasing rate. An arborist hired by the city determined that heavy pruning from SMUD crews in the past “has negatively affected the health and condition of the trees,” prompting a recommendation for their removal.
By Mike Hazlip—
After a week-long delay following criticism over the project, arborist crews began the removal of more than a dozen eucalyptus trees along Old Auburn Road Thursday.
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