Pleasant surprise amidst annoyance

[melchar]

The folk next door did a lot of tree trimming yesterday. I spent the day wishing the world had a 'mute' setting. They took out a very large palm tree entirely ... and I didn't mind that. And then today. [sighs; poor trees] The wood chipper and saws roared into early life and they completely cut down & removed 2 of 3 very lovely/tall/more than 20 year old liquid amber trees - and the 3rd has had all branches trimmed off, almost to the trunk - so it looks like it's not long for this world, either.

These trees had good roots that caused no pavement problems. They are [were] the only shade for my west-facing condo unit - and the only shelter between my window - and the windows of their place, 30 foot away. The glare of sunset is now shining painfully into that room.

As there had been no notice of the removal of mature trees [required in this city], I emailed the Campbell planning board, telling them about the tree hackage. I asked if there had been a permit and gave my address/phone #. Less than -10- minutes later, they -called- me, got further details and said there were no permits issed for the street here. The gent said he would investigate and was very pleasant. Who knows, maybe the folks next door will get fined.

Comments

[dinogrl.livejournal.com]

I know that this happened to my best friend with their uphill neighbors in the Seattle area. The root system for the trees prevented "mass wasting" (landslides). They also did it without permits, and the city took them to court and so did my friend. Losers. Gees. Why don't people get it?

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

It kills me to see trees murdered. I hope they get penalized.

Can you put awnings over your west-facing windows to cut the glare and reduce the heat?

Rats. I sympathize.

[melchar.livejournal.com]

Sadly no - condo cc&rs. [sad face] I will be check on interior wooden shutters. They are permitted, at least.

[auronlu.livejournal.com]

*whimper*

I have a beloved eucalyptus tree in my wee patio that the homeowner's assoc has sent me nastygrams about because one of the roots started pushing up a patio wall (which is technically not my property; outer enclosing walls = assoc's).

I got the root cut, but it's getting to be an awfully big tree, about 40 years old...probably put in the same year as the city was founded, which is the same year I was born.

I don't want to remove it. But every year it gets a little bigger...much too big a tree for a small patio.

And I don't wanna. But I think I need to, before it gets any larger.

It's not a normal eucalyptus; the leaves are big and beech-like, all different colors from pink to gold to a lovely blue-green. And the bark is red and stringy like a young redwood, only kind of a peach-color. It's nice. When I moved in, I painted my office walls to match it, since it's just outside my window.

I love trees. I'm sad for yours.

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

That really hurts. You have my sympathy. If it were me, I'd be sure and save some of those wonderful leaves, and take pictures of the tree and leaves, before it has to go. Then I'd maybe make a wall arrangement with the mementoes and pictures. Or at least a little scrapbook.

Yes, I can get that sentimental about trees.

[melchar.livejournal.com]

Your tree sounds lovely! If there was some way to prune it and save it, that would be so worth it.

Once they are older than about 10, trees are so -very- much each their own beings. I'm still just shell-shocked about these ones being so suddenly gone.