New green will grow from the Coronado site where four sugar gum eucalyptus trees are being uprooted, much to the chagrin of residents who call the trees “old friends.”
The Coronado City Council voted Tuesday to replace the trees along E Avenue with lemon-scented or sugar gum eucalyptuses.
Two of the trees slated for removal have already come down, while two others will be chopped later this month. Mourning signs posted to the trees read "Today is a sad day for E Avenue! Farewell our gentle giants..."
A city-contracted arborist found disease in the trunks and reported they were at significant risk to fall, leaving the city open to a lawsuit should a collapsing branch injure someone.
Even admirers begrudgingly admitted the towering plants pose a problem.
“The shallow roots are very bad on eucalyptus trees. And if a big wind comes, they're down,” said Coronado resident Loie Wilkens.
The city council decided to remove the trees in a closed session over the summer, infuriating people who wanted a voice.
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Late last month, Coronado local Dan’l Steward spent more than 24 hours living in one of the eucalyptuses to protest its chopping.
The city says it started to re-evaluate the future of the newly treeless spots after it received a letter from a concerned neighbor.
Most in the area agree the tree-lined look is part of the thoroughfare’s appeal.
“I come up here and specifically walk down this street because it's unique in Coronado and the trees are beautiful,” said Tom Campbell.
Now, tree-enthusiasts like Wilkens and Karen Knudsen are taking a final tour down E Avenue to say goodbye.
“These have been here for so, you said what, over a hundred years, so they're like old friends,” said Knudsen.
