Back in April 2006, WGx predicted … “It’s early yet, but illegal tree trimming might end up being the story of the year in Willow Glen. The fight continues … WGx”

Trees fared pretty well after the city’s ordinance against illegally removing trees was strengthened with increased fines and additional enforcement.

But 2007 has not started well. Following an incident this weekend, neighborhood complaints and enforcement issues may get more attention:

Despite valiant efforts from residents and a police response, a prominent collection of sycamore trees was removed from the corner of Willow Street & Camino Ricardo on Saturday.

The City of San Jose regulates the trimming and removal of street trees. For trees on private property, trees with a trunk circumference of 56 inches or greater require a permit for removal, whether they are dead or alive. Permits may have been requested in the past for this property, but do not appear to have been approved. The property has two parcel numbers and a confusing legal history, with a host of previously approved building permits.

Trees Removed — Even With Advance Warning

Neighbors had been put on alert two weeks ago: A member of the WGNA eList foreshadowed the removal after an honest contractor had mentioned being asked to bid on removing a tree on a Saturday. (Weekend removals, while themselves not illegal, raise flags because property owners and removal companies know that halting action from the City is less likely.) Sure enough, chainsaws began early Saturday.

Neighbors summoned the police, but officers did not halt the destruction. Despite previous clarifications of the Police Department’s role, officers were unaware that they had the authority to stop the removal. The trees were gone before the end of the day.

Since the trees were removed, the eList has seen a storm of discussion on the matter. Most members have expressed outrage, with some calling for significantly stiffer penalties for such brazen flaunting of the law. Eyewitnesses report that a local company, known as PMC Tree Service, was responsible for the removal of the trees, and the eList quickly filled with compaints against PMC for this and other troubling practices.

There will be more to this story as local media and neighborhood groups get more involved. Of course, WGx will follow everything as it unfolds ….