By Deb Murphy
Tree huggers are alive and well in Independence, as evidenced by Tuesday’s Inyo County Board of Supervisors’ meeting.
Residents came to the defense of a cedar tree within the County’s right-of-way on Market Street. The owner of the adjacent home had asked Publics Works to cut the tree down, fearing it was dying and a hazard to the property.
Speakers not only defended the tree but blasted the County’s tree-trimming competence, urging Public Works to hire an arborist or provide training to the tree-trimming crews.
Supervisor Jeff Griffiths, referring to the board packet report from Eastern Sierra Tree Service, said the tree was in declining due to lack of water. The report further stated the cedar was in decline due to its age, but an aggressive watering regime could extend its life for, possibly, decades. Griffiths also agreed that perhaps County crews “needed a tune-up,”
Nancy Masters told the Board the Independence Civic Club was working on a cooperative tree watering program, complete with a water wagon. The club, as well as a new Independence resident who had been tutored on appropriate tree-watering protocol by neighbors, volunteered to make sure the cedar got the appropriate attention.
“Cedars are drought-resistant,” Masters said. “It should be okay.”
Chair Rick Pucci agreed to table the agenda item. Public Works’ Chris Cash said the department wouldn’t take out the tree. The cedar will be allowed to age gracefully.
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Beautiful tree but “hire an arborist or provide training to the tree-trimming crews”? Isn’t info like this available on internet (youtube)?
Thank you Nancy Masters! The hawks and Owls thank you as well.
I want to note that the Inyo County Public Works Department has been very supportive of the Independence Civic Club’s tree watering program. We really appreciate that! All of us want to save our trees and shrubs in the towns where the water table dropped way below the rooting zone due to pumping of groundwater. We are also losing big Arizona Cypress trees from beetle infestations driven by warming temps.
The new flat rate for water should help too. Residents of homes and businesses with street trees can water those trees without additional cost. Many thanks to Inyo County for that also.
Residents, please water! The hawks and owls will thank you, trees control wind, your cooling costs in the summer will be less, and mature trees add value to your home. Poor pruning, such as topping or head cuts, can kill the tree, make it less safe, and destroy its monetary value.
Let’s keep our towns green!
Our friends and neighbors in Independence have had for too long inequitable attention and resolution to the issues of their water system and to the lowering of the water tables due to groundwater extractions. It is good news that the Board of Supervisors has become more aware and is addressing the issues. With the potential greater than mean average runoff this year, it would be good for the LADWP who also dependent on the Independence water system to do their best to spread beneficial runoff to raise depleted water tables not only in Independence but in the entire Owens Basin.
Who put the thumbs down?! That was a nice comment?!!
There is enough room in the world for me and the tree. Let it be.
Our tax dollars at work.
Incompetent Inyo County can’t even deal with a Cedar tree without fouling it up.
And the “leaders” of this outfit make well over 100K a year.
Not the mention their Huge Pension and benefits program after they Retire…