Editorial: Tree Treasures

The trees of Del Mar are special—they contribute to our community character, they shade our homes, they are living, breathing plants that should be treasured. Our municipal code protects two special trees: Torrey Pines and Monterey Cypress. Our Community Plan calls for a forested community that preserves our unique environment and enriches our sense of place. Our Climate Action Plan calls for planting more trees to help sequester carbon dioxide and reduce global warming.

This legacy is threatened as the city considers making it easier to remove protected trees. Scenic views of not only the ocean, but also lagoon and inland views, are proposed to be more important than our tree canopy. As Del Mar property values have soared, the cost benefit of a property with an ocean view may now exceed $1 million. Does this justify cutting down a protected tree to improve the view from your home (or investment property)? We say NO. Can you pay an arborist to state that the tree blocking your view is diseased and needs to come down? Sad experience says YES. Our trees have made Del Mar a more attractive place to live; it is ironic that some newer residents and council members want to remove that incentive.

Part of the problem is the current tendency to try to reduce risk to a perceived zero (not an actual zero, which is impossible). Windstorms can fell trees, and they could fall on your house. Trees can burn, and they could spread a fire to your home. There are steps you can take to mitigate these risks short of removing healthy trees, like making your house more fire-resistant.  Many of our Del Mar residents moved here because of the trees, and we have learned to accept the risks they pose and adapt to living in an urban forest.