The City of Santa Cruz Heritage Tree Ordinance, a document that protects heritage trees in the city of Santa Cruz, has recently been revised to make it easier for property owners to legally remove big trees, ultimately increasing the number of trees that are removed each year. These are some of the thousands of trees that have been removed since 2000. Learn more about Heritage Trees in Santa Cruz on the main page here.
All photos on this page were taken by Gillian Greensite, Santa Cruz Sierra Club Conservation Committee Chair.
Eucalyptus Trees on the Bluff at the Sea and Sand Inn on West Cliff Drive: Before and After
There were originally seven heritage trees on this bluff. The trees were approximately 80 years old. The Seaside Company, which owns the Sea and Sand Inn, took out the two largest trees in 2005, leading to bluff failure directly beneath where the trees were removed. When the Sea and Sand Inn later expanded with a new second story, the view was compromised by the trees. Using the bluff failure as justification, the Seaside Company was granted an emergency permit by the city to remove the remaining five trees in 2011.
Before: Eucalyptus trees on the bluff at the Sea and Sand Inn on West Cliff Drive
After: Eucalyptus trees on the bluff at the Sea and Sand Inn on West Cliff Drive
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Ironbark Tree at Former Eastside Post Office on Morrissey: Before and After
Before: Ironbark tree at former eastside Post Office on Morrissey. This heritage tree lost a large lower branch which fell on the mailboxes.
Rather than pruning and preserving, the tree was removed.
After: Ironbark tree at former eastside Post Office on Morrissey
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Redwood on Broadway: Before and After
This redwood tree, approximately 80 years old was 20 feet from any structure on the property. Its roots were uplifting the asphalt. The owner claimed economic hardship ( a reason for removal under the revised Heritage Tree Ordinance) and despite efforts from residents and the city arborist to defend saving the tree by root pruning, council voted to have it cut down in 2014.
Before: Redwood on Broadway
After: Redwood on Broadway
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120 Year Old Red Horse Chestnut on Broadway: Before and After
Despite the fact that the Heritage Tree Ordinance required a heritage tree to be protected unless a design project "cannot" be altered, the city council voted to allow this iconic tree to be removed to make way for a Hyatt hotel in the middle of the Broadway St. neighborhood.
Before: 120 year old Red Horse Chestnut on Broadway
After: Despite an outpouring of community support requesting Hyatt to modify its design, the 120 year old Red Horse Chestnut was removed in 2014 to make way for a new hotel.
Learn more about this Red Horse Chestnut tree here.
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Conferruminata Tree on Beach Street: Before and After
This excellent specimen of an uncommon heritage tree, possibly 90 years old, was close to the cottage but there was no evidence it was causing a problem.
The Seaside Company submitted claims not based on facts in the field and the city council voted to remove the tree in late 2014.
Before: Conferruminata tree on Beach Street
After: Conferruminata tree on Beach Street
Return to main Heritage Tree page here.