Point Reyes Light - November 14, 2002
Church condemns old trees in Tomales
By Andrew Pridgen
If the trees in a Tomales church’s stand of Monterey cypress fall, it’s bound to create a helluva sound.
At issue is an aging grove of Monterey cypress behind the Church of Assumption. The trees, some of which were planted as far back as the 1880s, have been slated for removal for years, said Father Robert White on Wednesday.
There is a danger of them coming down on the church or the nearby Shoreline School District busyard in this winter’s El Niño winter, the priest warned. The cypress have been poorly pruned over the years, White said. He and most of his parish believe now is the time to cut the trees down.
For a few Tomales residents, however, the proposed clear-cutting of the trees has become a struggle between the god of historical nature and the Mammon of insurance costs.
Clear-cutting opposed
Francene Hentz of Tomales is one of those fighting to keep at least some of the trees standing. "We’re working through the coastal plan to see if they can do this a little at a time," she said Tuesday.
"We know that some trees are diseased and rotted, dying, or already dead, and those should go. [However], there are also trees that are more than 100 years old but may be healthy and are part of the natural landscape here in Tomales. We just want the removal to be done responsibly and by a licensed arborist."
"We’re trying to plan the removal responsibly," Father White responded. "I’ve been at the church for 16 years, and it’s time. We don’t want to be liable for what happens if a diseased tree does fall. The people who want to keep the trees, I’m sure don’t want to be responsible either."
Cutting postponed
The tree removal had been scheduled for last Monday but was postponed while the county determines whether any of the trees should be saved. White, initially rescheduled the removal for Monday, Nov. 18, but has now postponed any cutting in the immediate future.
Father White told The Light no arborist has been brought in by the church, but county officials noted that may not be necessary depending on interpretations of existing coastal guidelines.
"To tell you the truth, we’re seeing both sides here," said Liza Crosse, aide to Supervisor Steve Kinsey. "Father White needs to get rid of the hazard, and people in the community like their trees and might not welcome the dramatic change to the landscape. We are recommending removal of some of the trees at this point."
Crosse said she’s gone over the Marin County Tree Ordinance and the Tomales Community Plan, and there is no provison in either that would prohibit the church from removing the trees.Laws under review
However, she is waiting to hear from senior planner Tom Lai who is reviewing the county’s coastal program to see if there are guidelines for tree removal.
"If it is found that there is biological or resource value to the trees or that if they are truly diseased, [Lai] will determine if under the [coastal] authority [cutting] does require coastal permits," Crosse said.
"If that were the case, then some kind of review from a specialist would be required, but again this is all speculation." If the county does require the church to get a coastal permit, it would be a "headache" for the congregation she acknowledged.
"We hope the community could work this problem out for themselves. There’s merit on both sides, but without clearly knowing the condition of the trees, it’s hard to make a judgment."
Tomales historian Lois Parks said that the trees have no significant historic value for the town and she worries that if they fall the trees could put some important parts of the town in jeopardy.
"Those [trees] could end up doing serious damage to buildings, or worse, to people."