One of the most beautiful oak trees in the park has been cut down. This tree, was probably a young tree when George Washington was born. Looking at the cut sections of the tree, the limbs and trunk appear healthy and without rot. The tree itself looked healthy and was given a A+ health rating just a couple of years ago by a County assessment of about 300 trees at the park.
Largest Oak in Flood Park
This grandfather tree was the largest oak at Flood Park and was promptly removed without notice or warning. By chance, a park visitor had seen a crew gathered around the tree and was informed that all trees in the park were being assessed and inventoried.
When we contacted the Parks Department, they confirmed the inventory assessment of trees and noted that this large oak would be removed in the coming weeks due to a fungus that was present on the roots: Chicken of the Woods fungus — Laetiporus gilbertsonni var. pallidus.
As the word spread, park advocates started to search for an arborist that could provide a 2nd assessment to see if this magnificent tree could be preserved; however, the Parks Department evidently accelerated the removal schedule and the tree was destroyed just days later, leaving no time for the 2nd arborist’s opinion.
County Parks provided the following PDF reports and information:
- Heritage Oak Inspection report
- Contract Check List
- Basic Tree Risk Assessment form
- Drill Resistance Graphs
Lack of Communication
This Grandfather tree might have been saved had County Parks notified the public and allowed an independent arborist a chance to evaluate the health and make recommendations.
We are asking Parks to keep the public notified of any planned work that impacts the parks use, its trees, or its amenities. Not just items associated with the Reimagine project, but also with the day to day care of the park.
