By an edhat reader
Say goodbye to this beautiful view on the 600 block of West Mission Street, where the jacaranda trees are tagged as slated for removal. They look perfectly healthy and have never been prettier than they are right now.
Jacaranda Trees to be Removed
Anonymous
June 4, 2020, 9:05 am
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ahhh…driving/ running down Mission this time of year is my absolute favorite because of the Jacaranda.
What?! Why? Santa Barbara has lost a lot of its charm this past year, first the beautiful tiled fountains and benches down town, now this?! It’s heartbreaking.
We had a lovely tunnel of Jacaranda trees along our street that was glorious in May/June, but now only one or two remain. They were removed by the county because their root systems are highly invasive and shallow, pushing up sidewalks and street pavement. Thirty feet away from the tree closest to me, there was a root four inches in diameter pushing up my slab, and the yard was a checkerboard of surface roots. They were about 50 years old, and many had survived the Paint Fire, but they were starting to shed limbs in strong winds. I still miss their beauty, but I can see why they might be problematic.
They buck sidewalks and in certain places make it dangerous with dead leaves.
I’ve always thought County of SB should have done something on Catherdal Oaks between Avienda Pequena and Patterson for this reason. See this example: https://goo.gl/maps/fm6rShMzhM7sKdX88
It’s a beautiful tree if you can drive by and look at it. If you have to park under it, it’s the tree from hell.
They must’ve known this would be their last bloom. It’s the best I’ve seen in years. Rip healthy trees. I’m guessing it’s being done for the new sidewalk/bike path plan. Parking removed next?
And when those beautiful flowers drop and are still just jewels on the concrete with their edges starting to curl and brown….they are slick as grease!
You might ask the City Transportation Dept if this has anything to do with the proposed west side bicycle path. https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/SBdocuments/Advisory_Groups/Transportation_and_Circulation_Committee/Current/03_Staff_Reports/2020_02_27_La_Cumbre_Jr_High_Modoc_MUP_Report.pdf
They don’t think about them when they plant them they just want something that looks pretty then when they get old and become a bother they cut them down and kill them. Kinda like when people get old there is no use for them anymore, the same thing.
Who decides these things? This should not be a unilateral decision, as though it is a private tree — Mission Street is our backyard!!! Thanks to edhat for publicizing. …I worry about the Milpas Street ficus trees that one very vocal and well-known member of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee rails against. Think how ugly (uglier, some would say) if the tall, broad, shade-giving ficus were replaced with shrunken street trees. Think about Carrillo Stree, State to. Anacapa!
Beautiful trees but terrible street trees. They really do a number on sidewalks and curbs.
Our city wants their input & money if we try to take a tree down within the set back that is actually on the owners property but we have no say in removing these beautiful trees from the public right of way? Doesn’t make sense to me. I have one of these trees on the street in front of my house. It is beautiful and one time of year when it blooms it’s messy but easy to clean up. It’s roots are not tearing up the sidewalk either. I grew up with these trees on Mission Street and would hate to see them go at least without public input.
These trees are one of the most beautiful and distinctive things about Santa Barbara. My mother used to get mad when the purple carpet was swept up at all. And now they just too much effort? I can’t understand how just because a few people think these lovely beings are annoying, then they will be killed, after giving a gorgeous spring gift. Santa Barbara has really changed, I think. The Mission Street Jacarandas are a special and unique part of the city. Santa Barbara prided itself on its beautiful and unique biosphere. Is that no longer important?
Put out a notice to hire people to sweep and scour the sidewalks and street area during jacaranda season. I’m sure you’d get lots of takers, and temporary work in the outdoors is a perfect choice for right now.
Well you can get the neighborhood together and March on city hall. Call your city council member and get people to talk at the city council meeting. Get a petition circulating on not removing these trees and present it to the City Council. If it was my neighborhood, I wouldn’t just let them do it without a fight. These trees a special.