Landscape Architect Articles

Touch Not a Leaf on This Noble Tree!05-22-09 | News

Touch Not a Leaf on This Noble Tree!

A woman in southern California was threatened with arrest after she stood in front of a nearly 50-year-old fichus tree to stop the city crews from chopping it down. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Carmela Amato, 45, leaned up against a fichus tree in the 5600 block of Heil Avenue in Huntington Beach, California, hoping the city would think twice before ripping out the massive tree that canopies the sidewalks and homes. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The city is removing the fichus tree because its roots have damaged the sewer lines, officials said. Other trees on the street have lifted the sidewalk and some residents say the thick roots are creeping toward the homes.The police were called after about 30 minutes and Amato was threatened with arrest if she did not leave, she said.

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City spokeswoman Laurie Payne said the tree will be replaced but the city is not yet sure what they will plant. Payne said the fichus are only removed if it is necessary. In this case, a resident had called and complained that her sewer lines were backed up.

After investigation with an underground camera, the city found the fichus tree to be the root of the problem. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Payne added that the other nearly dozen fichus trees on Heil are not slated to be chopped down. Resident Gary Laffen, who lives on the street, said the trees have been a trademark in his neighborhood, but he understands why some are being taken out.

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Laffen watched from his front lawn as Amato tried to persuade city crews to halt their work.

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