California: Last Mill Valley Giant Redwood about to fall
Rich Paterson, who owns a home next to Burns, has spent a couple years
looking into what to do after hearing cracking sounds. Site
evaluations by multiple tree experts at his request reached the same
conclusion that the tree is a hazard. “I’m fourth generation Mill
Valley and really hate the thought of having to take it out, but it
has all the earmarks of a tree with serious problems,” Paterson said.
“If it falls the wrong way, it could hit five different houses.”
County forester Kent Julin, who inspected the tree in 2007, was
surprised it was still around.
Burns said she and her sister can’t afford the $13,000 to clear the
unstable tree on top of steep medical bills they owe for their father,
but she didn’t want to lose his land. “I am doing everything I can to
save the only part of my dad I have left,” said Burns, a recent
graduate of San Diego State University. “I don’t have that kind of
cash, but I don’t want anyone to get hurt. This tree is deciding my
future.” Nicknamed “The Twins” for how it splits in two, the coast
redwood sticks out as a remnant from the 1920s, left untouched because
of its twisted timber as most other trees in the region were milled.
Burns learned soon after moving in that her massive tree with a hollow
base, burnt from a fire long ago, was known by most everyone in the
area. When her father bought the property in the 1970s, he found
someone living inside the tree, she said. These days it’s mainly a
source of concern. “One of the alarming features of the tree is it
has a large vertical crack inside the trunk indicating a change in
status with a high potential for failure,” he said. “It’s definitely
something that should be removed.” A redwood of similar stature fell
without incident in 2006 after leaning perilously over nearby LaVerne
Avenue for years. The tree was estimated to be 700 to 800 years old
based on ring count.
Paterson said removal was made difficult – and
expensive – by a creek that prevented machine access. The $13,000
quote, compared to others in the $25,000 to $50,000 range, was from a
local harvester. He said some neighbors have pledged to help with
removal costs. Burns said Mill Valley city officials waived permit
fees and a hearing requirement because of the tree’s danger, but there
was nothing else city or county officials could do. “It’s my private
property so it’s my responsibility,” she said. Julin said something
should be done soon. “We have lives and property to protect,” he said,
noting the tree had the potential to resprout and grow. “It seems
silly to leave people in harm’s way.”
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