As part of the City’s initiative to replace failing trees around town, Piedmont Beautification Foundation has embarked on a campaign to support their replacement with species that are native or culturally compatible to California and more likely to thrive.
That commitment was put into action on Monday when an Island Oak took the place of the towering Sequoia that had graced the Mountain-Bellevue circle for as long as any Piedmonter can remember (but had to be removed last year). On hand to help was PBF’s Karen Sullivan, Parks and Project Manager Nancy Kent, Public Works Supervisor Nick Millosovich, and PBF Advisor Cameron Wolfe, Jr.
For the replacement tree, PBF raised over $8,000 from neighbors. Funds will also cover additional planting, and care for the tree for at least 2 years. Wolfe writes about the the history of the beloved Sequoia and the decision to plant the Island Oak in its stead:
Reforesting Piedmont Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Project
Next is the much-anticipated decision as to what to plant to replace the iconic Sequoia gigantea in the traffic circle at the Mountain and Bellevue intersection. This redwood tree stood tall in this intersection for generations, even serving as Piedmont’s first holiday tree during the 20s and 30s (stopped by the onset of WWII). Showing grave danger of toppling, this tree was removed last fall. At its March meeting the Park Commission approved the recommendation of the City staff and supported by PBF to replace that tree with an Island Oak, Quercus tomontella, a tree indigenous to California (especially the Channel Islands) and regarded as likely to thrive in a small traffic island that has no regular source of water.
PBF Advisor Cameron Wolfe, Jr., Op-Ed | Reforesting Piedmont, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
About PBF’s Reforesting Campaign
Recently, the City of Piedmont completed a public tree inventory to catalog the many species of trees that comprise our city’s urban forest. The results from this detailed project identified dozens of trees throughout the City that are either failing or have died because of an increasingly harsher climate. Piedmont Beautification Foundation is embarking on a campaign to support the replacement of these trees with species that are native or culturally compatible to California and more likely to thrive. With help from community gifts and donations, Public Works staff will replace these trees in specific areas throughout the City.
Piedmont Beautification Foundation is on a mission
Studies have shown that well designed city landscaping has a positive effect on citizens, creating a stronger sense of community and overall better health. Get involved in supporting PBF’s efforts to improve our public and green spaces, and see our community flourish! Learn more HERE.
