Barlow Wants to Cut the Bunya Bunya Tree

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The Barlow project wants to cut down the 80 foot tall Bunya Bunya Tree at the entrance to the town. The tree has been a landmark at the corner of Morris and Highway 12 for 100 years. Now the Barlow says this healthy tree is in the way of its corner development. They want to make the curb more truck friendly and to conform to CalTrans and ADA standards. There are probably alternatives but they aren't as easy for the developer although their original plans were to preserve the tree. They tried to get the Tree Board’s approval to cut the tree on January 2nd but the Tree Board said there wasn’t enough public notice given.

What do you think? Could there be more effort made to preserve the tree? Is it worth saving?

The Bunya Bunya tree's significance: The tree species is very old. Jurassic dinosaurs fed on the seeds. It was imported from Austrailia possibly by Luther Burbank. It is protected there and considered sacred by the Aboriginal people. Thousands of indigenous people once travelled to the Bunya Bunya gatherings. They stayed for months, set aside differences and celebrated the Bunya nut which tastes like Chestnut. The Bunya gatherings were accompanied by trade exchange, discussions and negotiations over marriage and regional issues. In some regions, the tree was never to be cut.

The Bunya Bunya on the corner of Morris and Sebastopol Ave is most likely a male and has not posed a hazard due to falling cones.

The next Tree Board meeting is on Wednesday, January 16^th.

Contact the Kenyon Webster, City Planner, (email below) if you have an opinion or question.

[email protected]

City's Staff report:

https://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/sites/default/files/events-and-meetings/tree_board_staff_report_w_attachment_item_1_01.02.13.pdf

I like Barney's approach to business in general, however I am not in favor of cutting this tree down.

This is a remarkable species of tree which I enjoy looking at every time I pass by. I think it is ((highly)) likely Luther Burbank had something to do with that tree being there.

Barney is a creative and smart man, I'm sure he can come up with something that doesn't compromise the botanical heritage of this town.

And if he wants to ask for help with figuring that out, I'm sure someone would be happy to give it some thought.

Please remind us again prior to the meeting date that this is up for review so that people can step forward with their concerns.

Thanks for the heads up!!

I reviewed the 17 pages submitted to the tree board and have a few spontaneous thoughts off the cuff.
There is not enough information provided to express any accurate suggestions that thoroughly address the problem.
All the consultants are being paid by the developer to come up with the least cost solution.

Indirectly the City officials are also paid by the developer through the fees charged.
Citizens making public comments don't pay any fees and take up city personnel's time.

There are no elevations shown on the drawings submitted and no details of the civil plans showing what was approved to be built and the changes now being required allegedly by caltrans and/or ADA requirements.

I can only glean some alternatives to moving the tree which may exist.
Don't we all wonder why no one suggests relocating the power poles instead of the trees.
Perhaps a parking spot could be sacraficed and the walkway brought onto the other side of the tree.
If the radius is not adequate for trucks, maybe the truck route could be designated to a different corner.
Might the crosswalk go the other direction around the intersection.
Would a traffic circle save the tree?

How about grates or a bridge design that could go over the roots instead of a paving profile the cutrs off 2' of them.
Maybe the whole sidewalk could ramp up gently on each side so the finish grade does not need to drop 2' from where it is now.

Maybe the crosswalk moves away from the corner altogether and the ADA access from morris to 12 is a path marked adjacent to the building. the curb cuts and cross walks could be in from the corner whatever distance is necessary. Maybe adjacent to the driveway with signals and stoplights placed appropriately to ensure safety of course.

I don't suppose it is the tree boards active responsibility is to suggest alternatives to tree removal and that the appeal process will yield approval to avoid lawsuits. Of course, no one guarantees that a tree won't fall or drop something on someone eventually. I have seen many more hefty and dangerous palm tree parts falling than anything from the subject tree.

I wonder where the nearest other Bunya Bunya tree is. Has any research been done on that?
Does it make sense to be dropping the grade 2' when the area is part of the 100 year flood plain?
Maybe the whole intersection would be better off raised?

Just some of my off the cuff spontaneous thoughts.
btw, it looks like there is no date that the application was deemed complete.
Does anyone know how to access a transcript or recording of the meeting that took place on this topic?

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Posted in reply to the post by Sereniti:

I like Barney's approach to business in general, however I am not in favor of cutting this tree down.

This is a remarkable species of tree which I enjoy looking at every time I pass by. I think it is ((highly)) likely Luther Burbank had something to do with that tree being there.

Barney is a creative and smart man, I'm sure he can come up with something that doesn't compromise the botanical heritage of this town.

And if he wants to ask for help with figuring that out, I'm sure someone would be happy to give it some thought.

Please remind us again prior to the meeting date that this is up for review so that people can step forward with their concerns.

Thanks for the heads up!!

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Save the tree 1

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Posted in reply to the post by Peter Schurch:

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The Barlow project wants to cut down the 80 foot tall Bunya Bunya Tree at the entrance to the town. The tree has been a landmark at the corner of Morris and Highway 12 for 100 years. Now the Barlow says this healthy tree is in the way of its corner development. They want to make the curb more truck friendly and to conform to CalTrans and ADA standards. There are probably alternatives but they aren't as easy for the developer although their original plans were to preserve the tree. They tried to get the Tree Board’s approval to cut the tree on January 2nd but the Tree Board said there wasn’t enough public notice given.

What do you think? Could there be more effort made to preserve the tree? Is it worth saving?

The Bunya Bunya tree's significance: The tree species is very old. Jurassic dinosaurs fed on the seeds. It was imported from Austrailia possibly by Luther Burbank. It is protected there and considered sacred by the Aboriginal people. Thousands of indigenous people once travelled to the Bunya Bunya gatherings. They stayed for months, set aside differences and celebrated the Bunya nut which tastes like Chestnut. The Bunya gatherings were accompanied by trade exchange, discussions and negotiations over marriage and regional issues. In some regions, the tree was never to be cut.

The Bunya Bunya on the corner of Morris and Sebastopol Ave is most likely a male and has not posed a hazard due to falling cones.

The next Tree Board meeting is on Wednesday, January 16^th.

Contact the Kenyon Webster, City Planner, (email below) if you have an opinion or question.

[email protected]

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They knew the tree was there. The hell with them. The tree must stay!!

I would like to see the tree stay and be honored in some way, perhaps with a plaque and a nice circular bench, which would invite the community to linger under it in such a lovely way. Highlight it as part of Sebastopol's history.

The tree is healthy. I can't imagine choosing to kill a healthy 100 year old anything. Let's celebrate this tree.

I doubt I can be at the hearing, as I'm having heart surgery on the 10th. So just tossing in my two cents:

The tree is there. It's been there a hundred years, yes? How long has the property owner or the developer been there?

It's beautiful. Is the Barlow development building something as beautiful?

The initial approval was for a plan that included leaving the tree. It's hard for me to understand why the Barlow development, depending to some degree on community good will, would propose something that would sour a significant portion of the local population on the people behind the development. I would hate to drive in on Hwy. 12 and have my stomach churn as I approached the Barlow site. I would much rather welcome this huge addition to our community, feeling they really have the community at heart. As I think they do.

There are apparently other solutions, albeit more costly. Well, guys, you've got more money than I do, I suspect. Use it.

Granted I'm sounding simplistic. But I think there are times to be simple. Anyone is welcome to communicate these thoughts at the hearing.

Cheers—
Conrad Bishop

Perhaps the Barlow folks would agree to plant 5 or 10 new ones of this type of tree in the development or in a park somewhere to replace this old one. That would be a nice gesture. I hate to see nice old trees cut down, but when they are replaced with strong young new ones, it feels better.

Late this morning as I was returning home, I paid special attention to the tree, its location, its image against the skyline and such. It's so beautiful! I feel even more strongly that The Barlow should save it. A bench surrounding its small mound would be perfect--a mini-park, or parklet, as they're being called these days.

And perhaps the Barlow could incorporate an artist's rendering of the tree into its logo. This could spawn community contests--t-shirt designs, art by local students, poems about the tree.

They want to make this corner more accessible to big trucks? Is that what we want to see as we come into town? How about making another corner, away from such public view, the point of access.

The Barlow should embrace this beauty and run with it. It is a great opportunity.

I see that the next meeting of the Tree Board is Wednesday, Jan 16th at 4pm at City Hall. That's the same day as our next Community Social. Perhaps somebody would be willing to go and carry some of the comments made here to that meeting and then come join us at the French Garden and let us know what happened?

:treehugger:That tree is a landmark; and the wee bit of open space around it is a benefit to counter the density of the Barlow Project. :gravapple:

:dragonfly:Please let the Bunyan tree and that corner have some breathing room, for all patrons & passers by. :moped:

:waccosun:Thanks

Seems like removing a hundred yr. old tree would destabilize the surrounding soil; this may have further undesirable impacts new trees could not accommodate.

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Posted in reply to the post by tomcat:

Perhaps the Barlow folks would agree to plant 5 or 10 new ones of this type of tree in the development or in a park somewhere to replace this old one. That would be a nice gesture. I hate to see nice old trees cut down, but when they are replaced with strong young new ones, it feels better.

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It's heartening to see so much support for keeping the Bunya Bunya tree, however the Tree Board (which is also the Design Review Board) needs to resolve the requirement for and ADA compliant walkway.

Please find key part off the staff report below.

Seems like it turns on the word "reasonably". I wonder if the people involved considered all the possibilities, including both "creative" ones and and ones that are more costly.

Given that this is a technical question, but one that many citizens care deeply about, I'd like to see a public workshop where the City Engineer can explain what's required, if there is any option for a variance, explain the solutions considered and then open it up for ideas from the community for alternative ways the requirement can be satisfied. Perhaps this can happen at the Jan 16th Tree Board meeting or be scheduled separately.
Would any of you be willing to attend such a workshop?:waccosun:

Barry


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I would say this is a great opportunity for the skateboard enthusiasts to join this public fray and have kamikaze curved ramp exhibits placed over the roots that need cutting so a wheel chair could navigate.

Right....! Sebastopol is one of the few communities where conversations like saving the Bunya Bunya tree would actually exist. So I follow this thread with great interest, yet feel like I'm in a Dr. Seuss novel.

And then a skateboarder out of left field comes flying by and carves a chunk out of my cerebral pie hole.

>>>>>>>>>>>> Only in Sebastopol!

P.S. Where is Patrick's sculpture?????? It disappeared from the corner. Wasn't there a funky fisherman in a car there? Please bring it back Barlow. THIS IS THE ENTRANCE TO (((OUR TOWN))). We have history that matters to our character and sense of place. Thanks!

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Posted in reply to the post by Thad:

I would say this is a great opportunity for the skateboard enthusiasts to join this public fray and have kamikaze curved ramp exhibits placed over the roots that need cutting so a wheel chair could navigate.

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I met with Kenyon Webster on an unrelated matter today and learned that the issue about this tree is ADA compliance. To make the walkways meet ADA codes, large roots of the tree will have to be cut. This will destabilize the tree, whether or not it sickens it. The city arborists as well as Barlow's arborists do not see a viable way to save the tree while meeting ADA code. They also see it as a tree "well past its prime." [Personally, I suspect the arborists and city officials are also well past their prime and would not consider that a reason to shorten their remaining time, but I was raised by trees and have an odd perspective.]

The intersection will be an important and busy pedestrian thoroughfare if the Barlow is successful. There is also concern about bunya bunya cones, which have killed people just by falling on their heads, although the arborists haven't noticed any cones of late.

These are facts to take into consideration when choosing a course of action on behalf of this tree.

A couple of clever people have suggested building a ramped walkway over the roots, or, even more creative, a wheel-chair-friendly skateboard ramp. These and other suggestions can be brought to the Tree Board when they meet on January 16.

If she [or given the lack of cones, he] cannot be saved, perhaps the next best thing is to have a ceremony to honor the death of this longtime keeper of the gate.

Blessings to all...

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Posted in reply to the post by Steve 2:

Save the tree 1

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I MUST give my 2 cents on ADA. I am an individual that has experienced SEVERE mobility impairment, I am well acquainted with wheelchairs and walkers and ....even crawling when neither of those items served me to get around.

The area around the tree is the entrance to the town, but not a main pedestrian thoroughfare. Most movement, especially mobility impaired individuals will be moving from cars to the shops, and occasionally a bus or taxi.

IF, AND THIS IS A BIG IF, you have granny whizzing around in a wheelchair... she is more likely coming from the direction of the plaza and downtown than the trailer park that is closing and the 3 stores across the street.... which she would still have access to if she is whizzing down the sidewalk on highway 12. (Which BTW, this area is already sensitive to traffic count increases of any kind and should not be encouraged.)

So honestly, I don't see the ADA argument holding water. Anyone that truly understands mobility impairment will tell you that this whole conversation is ridiculous, (IF) that is the crux of this whole conversation.

Please go spend your money on putting elevators in multi-tenant and public buildings that lack them, rather than creating issues where none exist..... It will be much more appreciated and better utilized by those that need them.

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Posted in reply to the post by sandoak:

I met with Kenyon Webster on an unrelated matter today and learned that the issue about this tree is ADA compliance. To make the walkways meet ADA codes, large roots of the tree will have to be cut. This will destabilize the tree, whether or not it sickens it. The city arborists as well as Barlow's arborists do not see a viable way to save the tree while meeting ADA code.

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Thank you! Would you please give these important insights to the Tree Board?

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Posted in reply to the post by Sereniti:

I MUST give my 2 cents on ADA. I am an individual that has experienced SEVERE mobility impairment, I am well acquainted with wheelchairs and walkers and ....even crawling when neither of those items served me to get around.

The area around the tree is the entrance to the town, but not a main pedestrian thoroughfare. Most movement, especially mobility impaired individuals will be moving from cars to the shops, and occasionally a bus or taxi.

IF, AND THIS IS A BIG IF, you have granny whizzing around in a wheelchair... she is more likely coming from the direction of the plaza and downtown than the trailer park that is closing and the 3 stores across the street.... which she would still have access to if she is whizzing down the sidewalk on highway 12. (Which BTW, this area is already sensitive to traffic count increases of any kind and should not be encouraged.)

So honestly, I don't see the ADA argument holding water. Anyone that truly understands mobility impairment will tell you that this whole conversation is ridiculous, (IF) that is the crux of this whole conversation.

Please go spend your money on putting elevators in multi-tenant and public buildings that lack them, rather than creating issues where none exist..... It will be much more appreciated and better utilized by those that need them.

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We read about the Barlow's "need" to cut down the Bunya Bunya tree. PLEASE! Do not allow it!

Years ago I stood in front of a house mover tractor (complete with house and 13 burly men) and successfully blocked it from moving in a house.The developer said the move required cutting down 4 large old trees so they could move the house in.

I told the developer to figure out another way to move the house past my property, as no trees would be cut. He thought I was a joke.

They weren't even my trees, but were adjacent to my large back yard, and beautiful.

He had not even attempted to try any other solution, but when pushed, he DID find a solution and entered w the house another way.

The trees and I made the front page of the paper in Roseburg, Oregon, and the contractor who was running for County Supervisor lost the election after the tree publicity.

This is situation is similar to me. The Barlow project already knew about this tree when they started. barney knew it existed!

He originally proposed keeping this tree. Did he just plan to later change his mind? And no one would notice??

Why not embrace this sacred tree by protecting it and building a (wooden) bench around it as some have suggested. It could be a special spot in the middle of all those buildings! I would love to have that spot to go sit when /if I visit The Barlow.

Protecting speaks more to the Sebastopol that I love than the cutting of such a majestic, old tree.

We need to protect our Sebastopol in any ways possible . The tree was here first!!

Re: ADA requirements: I am a woman with a disability requiring me to be in a wheelchair. It is electric and I get around fairly well.....except for when I try and cross the streets in a marked crosswalk......which is majorly dangerous. I am certainly all for ADA accommodations, but I do not know any one of us who would want this tree to be cut down to "meet ADA requirements". What ADA requirements are they? It sounds bogus to me.

Please please save this tree!!! I want to look at it always.
Thank you,

Alice McNair
Smiling Sun Farms
Certified Organic, Certified Bio Dynamic Farm
Sebastopol, CA

The Tree Board meeting is Wednesday, January 16, 4 pm at Sebastopol City Hall.

And here's another viewpoint, from the Press Democrat:

Sebastopol rallies around the Bunya Bunya tree

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 | Posted by Andrea Granahan | 4 responses

Sebastopol’s landmark tree at the corner of Morris St. and Sebastopol Ave. is not a native, but it has stood for so many generations as landmark that many were upset that it might have to go. There will be a meeting about it Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. at Sebastopol City Hall.

The tree is a Bunya Bunya tree from Australia and there has been speculation for years that it was planted by Luther Burbank. In Australia the tree is apparently considered sacred by the Aborigines.

Sebastopol’s Bunya Bunya is 80 feet tall, a male tree, so there is no danger from falling pine cones, but it is so old and has such a developed root system that the Barlow Project may be forced to cut it down to make room for a pedestrian crossing.

“This was discovered late in construction when they first went to start construction on the crossing,” said Sebastopol Planner Kenyon Webster.

The developers tried to get the Tree Board’s approval to cut the tree on Jan. 2 but the Tree Board of the Planning Department ruled there wasn’t enough public notice given and continued the item to the Jan. 16 meeting.

According to Yolanda Lopez, a representative of the Barlow, the owner Barney Aldridge is heartbroken. “He loves the tree. We’d love it if we could get the city and CalTrans to push back and relax their standards somewhat. We’ve had the city engineer, our engineer, a landscape architect and an arborist out there to look at it.”

Unless someone comes up with a solution at the Jan. 16 meeting it appears it’s bye bye Bunya Bunya, and the end of a living Sebastopol landmark.

How about the option of putting an ADA compliant crossing down the street rather than at the corner, like we have in front of Whole Foods. We could route a path clear of the tree to allow anyone to get anywhere they need to get without impacting the root structure of the tree. The best route between point A and point B may not be a straight line.

What a fabulous idea!:waccosun::heart::waccosun:

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Posted in reply to the post by sambacat:

How about the option of putting an ADA compliant crossing down the street rather than at the corner, like we have in front of Whole Foods. We could route a path clear of the tree to allow anyone to get anywhere they need to get without impacting the root structure of the tree. The best route between point A and point B may not be a straight line.

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Posted in reply to the post by sambacat:

How about the option of putting an ADA compliant crossing down the street rather than at the corner, like we have in front of Whole Foods. We could route a path clear of the tree to allow anyone to get anywhere they need to get without impacting the root structure of the tree. The best route between point A and point B may not be a straight line.

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Additionally, how about using 10th Amendment States' rights to tell the Federal "public servants" who wrote these blanket ADA constraints to go **** themselves, and butt out of our local affairs. Just a thought.:wink:

Look at where the ada ramp is for the Bradley video- sandy paints building.
Imagine the pedestrian crossing there. Now it has a diversion railing to prevent people from crossing at that spot.
No sidewalk at the corner...No ada requirement ...the tree stays.
Also, perhaps it is safer not to have sidewalks near the tree.
What do you think is the best way to present this to the powers that can make a decision?

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Posted in reply to the post by sambacat:

How about the option of putting an ADA compliant crossing down the street rather than at the corner, like we have in front of Whole Foods. We could route a path clear of the tree to allow anyone to get anywhere they need to get without impacting the root structure of the tree. The best route between point A and point B may not be a straight line.

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How about installing the crosswalks on the other 3 corners? Yes it is more money but this tree can live for 500 years and has a rich history and cultural significance. See the Wikipedia description below:
Cultural significance

The bunya, bonye, bunyi or bunya-bunya in various Australian Aboriginal languages was colloquially named the Bunya Pine by Europeans. However, Araucaria bidwillii is not a pine tree (of the genus Pinus). It belongs to the same genus as the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) and is commonly referred to as the "false monkey puzzle".
The Bunya tree grows to a height of 30–45 metres, and the cones, which contain the edible kernels, are the size of footballs.^[4]
The ripe cones fall to the ground. Each segment contains a kernel in a tough protective shell, which will split when boiled or put in a fire. The flavour of the kernel is similar to a chestnut.^[5]
A Bunya festival was recorded by Thomas (Tom) Petrie (1831–1910), who went with the Aboriginal people of Brisbane at the age of 14 to the festival at the Bunya Range (now the Blackall Range in the hinterland area of the Sunshine Coast). His daughter, Constance Petrie, put down his stories in which he said that the trees fruited at three-year intervals.^[6]The three-year interval may not be correct. Ludwig Leichhardt wrote in 1844 of his expedition to the Bunya feast.^[7] The Bunya trees pollinate in South East Queensland in September, October and the cones fall seventeen to eighteen months later in late January to early March from the coast to the current Bunya Mountains. When there is heavy rainfall or drought, pollination may vary. The large festival harvests may vary between two and seven years. When the fruit was ripe, the people of the region would set aside differences and gather in the Bon-yi Mountains (Bunya Mountains) to feast on the kernels.^{[citation needed]}
As the fruit ripened, locals, who were bound by custodial obligations and rights, sent out messengers to invite people from hundreds of kilometres to meet at specific sites. The meetings involved ceremonies, dispute settlements and fights, marriage arrangements and the trading of goods. The Aborigines’ fierce protection of the trees and recognition of the value of the timber, led to colonial authorities prohibiting settlers from cutting the trees in the 1842. The resource was too valuable, and the aboriginals were driven out of the forests along with the ability to run the festivals. The forests were felled for timber and cleared to make way for cultivation.^[8]
In what was probably Australia's largest indigenous event, diverse tribes – up to thousands of people – once travelled great distances (from as far as Charleville, Dubbo, Bundaberg and Grafton) to the gatherings. They stayed for months, to celebrate and feast on the bunya nut. The bunya gatherings were an armistice accompanied by much trade exchange, and discussions and negotiations over marriage and regional issues. Due to the sacred status of the bunyas, some tribes would not camp amongst these trees. Also in some regions, the tree was never to be cut.^{[citation needed]}
[edit]Uses

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Bunya_Cone.jpg

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Whole cone and nuts

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A comparison on how large the Pine Cones can grow

Indigenous Australians eat the nut of the bunya tree both raw and cooked (roasted, and in more recent times boiled), and also in its immature form. Traditionally, the nuts were additionally ground and made into a paste, which was eaten directly or cooked in hot coals to make bread. The nuts were also stored in the mud of running creeks, and eaten in a fermented state. This was considered a delicacy.
Apart from consuming the nuts, Indigenous Australians ate bunya shoots, and utilised the tree's bark as kindling.
Bunya nuts are still sold as a regular food item in grocery stalls and street-side stalls around rural southern Queensland. Some farmers in the Wide Bay/ Sunshine Coast regions have experimented with growing bunya trees commercially for their nuts and timber.
Since the mid-1990s, the Australian company Maton has used bunya for the soundboards of its BG808CL Performer acoustic guitars. TheCole Clark company (also Australian) uses bunya for the majority of its acoustic guitar soundboards. The timber is valued by cabinet makers and woodworkers, and has been used for that purpose for over a century.
However its most popular use is as a 'bushfood' by indigenous foods enthusiasts. A huge variety of home-invented recipes now exists for the bunya nut; from pancakes, biscuits and breads, to casseroles, to 'bunya nut pesto' or hoummus. The nut is considered nutritious, with a unique flavour similar to starchy potato and chestnut. The nutritional content of the bunya nut is: 40% water, 40% complex carbohydrates, 9% protein, 2% fat, 0.2% potassium, 0.06% magnesium.^[9] It is also gluten free, making bunya nut flour a substitute for people with gluten intolerance.
[edit]Cultivation

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ultivation.jpg

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A pair of bunya seedlings showing the change in leaf colour. The cotyledons arehypogeal, remaining below the ground.

Bunya nuts are slow to germinate. A set of 12 seeds sown in Melbourne took an average of about six months to germinate (with the first germinating in 3 months) and only developed roots after 1 year. The first leaves form a rosette and are dark brown. The leaves only turn green once the first stem branch occurs. Unlike the mature leaves, the young leaves are relatively soft. As the leaves age they become very hard and sharp.
In the highly variable Australian climate, the spread of actual emergence of the bunya maximises the possibility of at least successful replacement of the parent tree. A test of germination was carried out by Smith starting in 1999.^[10] Seeds were extracted from two mature cones collected from the same tree, a cultivated specimen at Petrie, just north of Brisbane (originally the homestead of Thomas Petrie, the son of the first European to report the species). One hundred apparently full seeds were selected and planted into 30 cm by 12 cm plastic tubes commercially filled with sterile potting mix in early February 1999. These were then placed in a shaded area and watered weekly. Four tubes were lost due to being knocked over. A total of the 100 seeds placed 87 germinated. The tubes were checked monthly for emergence over 3 years. Of these seeds, 55 cones emerged from each month from April to December, 1999; 32 emerged from January to September in 2000 and 1 seed emerged in January 2001 and the last 1 appeared in February 2001.^[10]
Once established bunyas are quite hardy and can be grown as far south as Hobart in Australia (42° S) and Christchurch in New Zealand (43° S)^[11] and (at least) as far north as Sacramento in California (38° N)^[12] and Lisbon (in the botanical garden) and even in Dublin area in Ireland (53ºN) in a microclimate protected from arctic winds and moderated by the Gulf Stream.^[13] They will reach a height of 35 to 40 metres, and live for about 500 years.

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Posted in reply to the post by sandoak:

The Tree Board meeting is Wednesday, January 16, 4 pm at Sebastopol City Hall.

And here's another viewpoint, from the Press Democrat:

Sebastopol rallies around the Bunya Bunya tree

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 | Posted by Andrea Granahan | 4 responses

Sebastopol’s landmark tree at the corner of Morris St. and Sebastopol Ave. is not a native, but it has stood for so many generations as landmark that many were upset that it might have to go. There will be a meeting about it Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. at Sebastopol City Hall.

The tree is a Bunya Bunya tree from Australia and there has been speculation for years that it was planted by Luther Burbank. In Australia the tree is apparently considered sacred by the Aborigines.

Sebastopol’s Bunya Bunya is 80 feet tall, a male tree, so there is no danger from falling pine cones, but it is so old and has such a developed root system that the Barlow Project may be forced to cut it down to make room for a pedestrian crossing.

“This was discovered late in construction when they first went to start construction on the crossing,” said Sebastopol Planner Kenyon Webster.

The developers tried to get the Tree Board’s approval to cut the tree on Jan. 2 but the Tree Board of the Planning Department ruled there wasn’t enough public notice given and continued the item to the Jan. 16 meeting.

According to Yolanda Lopez, a representative of the Barlow, the owner Barney Aldridge is heartbroken. “He loves the tree. We’d love it if we could get the city and CalTrans to push back and relax their standards somewhat. We’ve had the city engineer, our engineer, a landscape architect and an arborist out there to look at it.”

Unless someone comes up with a solution at the Jan. 16 meeting it appears it’s bye bye Bunya Bunya, and the end of a living Sebastopol landmark.

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I think it is worth forcing the issue and saving this magnificent and endangered tree. Do you have a contact for the developer? The Developer has options other than removal of this historic tree, and should be encouraged to comply. He should meet with Hollynn D’Lil an ADA consultant and find out how he can comply with ADA requirements without removing this historic tree.

If he will not adjust to accommodate this tree then I would support boycotting the entire Barlow redevelopment project and all businesses that plan to occupy it.


I know the Barlow family that previously occupied the property and as a consultant to them I know where the inconvenient “bodies” are buried. Perhaps these guys, and the City of Sebastopol would like those “bodies” exhumed.

Bob Rawson

Did Bob give you permission to post this? Which part did he write and which part did you write, Colleen? Perhaps Bob would like to introduce himself further here.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Peace Voyager:

I think it is worth forcing the issue and saving this magnificent and endangered tree. Do you have a contact for the developer? The Developer has options other than removal of this historic tree, and should be encouraged to comply. He should meet with Hollynn D’Lil an ADA consultant and find out how he can comply with ADA requirements without removing this historic tree.

If he will not adjust to accommodate this tree then I would support boycotting the entire Barlow redevelopment project and all businesses that plan to occupy it.


I know the Barlow family that previously occupied the property and as a consultant to them I know where the inconvenient “bodies” are buried. Perhaps these guys, and the City of Sebastopol would like those “bodies” exhumed.

Bob Rawson

---

why is this tree banded two thirds up? If this collar stays won't it kill the tree anyway?

https://img543.imageshack.us/img543/...1301071450.png

Here's a few updates on process around the future of the Bunya Bunya tree.

1) The Barlow has posted on Facebook that they are monitoring this thread on WaccoBB with great interest. So keep your constructive comments and ideas coming!

2) The draft minutes from the last Tree Board meeting where they discussed the tree are here.

3) The Tree Board meets again this Wednesday, January 16th at 4pm at City Hall (next to the library). The request to remove (kill) the Bunya Bunya tree is the first and only thing on the agenda. I recommend attending if you care about this tree to show the city that we care. My sense is that they haven't tried hard enough to find an option that can preserve this significant tree. I'll be delaying the start of our Community Social so I can show up as well.

give me a break. In my opinion, this is a relatively trivial issue. I think sometimes people hit on these trivial issues, due to their general negativity. My understanding is that the guy Bernie who owns and is developing this parcel is a long time resident/owner, sensitive to local concerns. It also demonstrates unintended consequences of government laws, in this case ADA. Legislation designed for one good end often screws up other things, and can contradict the main purpose of the law.

I heard Bernie is even building a commercial kitchen for small entrepreneurs to use, to make local products, who would otherwise be unable to succeed. No one has spoken up for this guy. It also demonstrates the power of wacco and other media, that right wing Tea Party groups, have used successfully to push parochial issues to the forefront. I probably shouldn't say anything else.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Barry:

Did Bob give you permission to post this? Which part did he write and which part did you write, Colleen? Perhaps Bob would like to introduce himself further here.

---

I think if you did a popularity vote, Bernie would still come out with a favorable majority. The fact of life is that he is a high profile figure in this town and what he does affects a lot of people. He signed up for this as part of his job description. What he does with it is up to him, but so far I am impressed and hope he is holding his strength. He's been busting his ass for along time on this development. It's like a mental marathon of Herculean proportions.

That said, the heritage of this town is NOT trivial. You don't bull dose an 80 year tree with cultural significance because some pencil pushers thought ADA required it. Poll disabled people. You'll see they think this fiasco is BS.

As for the commercial kitchen, any trendy property owner will look at it, if they think it will make money. That's life. And laws have changed. If people follow ServSafe certification laws, they can use their own kitchens. If entrepreneurs don't make money, they won't succeed.... anywhere.

This situation with the tree is awkward, but I have some degree of confidence that the situation will work out well for everyone.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by tommy:

give me a break. In my opinion, this is a relatively trivial issue. I think sometimes people hit on these trivial issues, due to their general negativity. My understanding is that the guy Bernie who owns and is developing this parcel is a long time resident/owner, sensitive to local concerns. It also demonstrates unintended consequences of government laws, in this case ADA. Legislation designed for one good end often screws up other things, and can contradict the main purpose of the law.

I heard Bernie is even building a commercial kitchen for small entrepreneurs to use, to make local products, who would otherwise be unable to succeed. No one has spoken up for this guy. It also demonstrates the power of wacco and other media, that right wing Tea Party groups, have used successfully to push parochial issues to the forefront. I probably shouldn't say anything else.

---

Interesting comment re the Tea Party and wacco. Comments by the more militant element on this thread and others around the Pellini property have often struck me as reflecting the other side of that same coin.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by tommy:

give me a break. In my opinion, this is a relatively trivial issue. I think sometimes people hit on these trivial issues, due to their general negativity. My understanding is that the guy Bernie who owns and is developing this parcel is a long time resident/owner, sensitive to local concerns. It also demonstrates unintended consequences of government laws, in this case ADA. Legislation designed for one good end often screws up other things, and can contradict the main purpose of the law.

I heard Bernie is even building a commercial kitchen for small entrepreneurs to use, to make local products, who would otherwise be unable to succeed. No one has spoken up for this guy. It also demonstrates the power of wacco and other media, that right wing Tea Party groups, have used successfully to push parochial issues to the forefront. I probably shouldn't say anything else.

---

So how do we find balance? By ignoring the militant element (this tends to be my approach)? I believe that open discussion is beneficial and I further believe that criticism of certain things should not be seen as equal to heaping negativity on the person or people involved. I'm not a fan of character assassination but I don't think expressing the desire to save this tree is defacto criticism of Bernie--that's certainly not been the case with my comments. Indeed, I see this as a great opportunity for Bernie, The Barlow and the community.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by photolite:

Interesting comment re the Tea Party and wacco. Comments by the more militant element on this thread and others around the Pellini property have often struck me as reflecting the other side of that same coin.

---

We wanted to update everyone on the status of the Bunya Bunya Tree situation.

Things are looking up for the beautiful tree! After challenging our engineers we came up with a plan that satisfies both Cal Trans and ADA. We are now waiting to hear back from the City of Sebastopol to see if they approve a 5 ft wide sidewalk instead of 10 ft.

Note: We appreciate the community's voice for the tree. Believe it or not, we love this magnificent tree at the entrance of Sebastopol.

When the Taylor project went in (across Morris Street), which Sebastopol Tomorrow opposed, Taylor wanted to cut the palm trees down. We persuaded the City Council that the trees were historically significant, and that, according to Neon Palm, they were very easy to move and survival was almost certain.

I don't know how long the Bunya tree has been there, long before my arrival over 30 years ago, but It seems to me that unusual trees should be preserved. There may be an argument that the seed pods are big and could injure someone, but I think a solution to that can be found, perhaps some kind of visually unobtrusive netting

Good going Barney, we knew you could do it!

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by The Barlow:

We wanted to update everyone on the status of the Bunya Bunya Tree situation.

Things are looking up for the beautiful tree! After challenging our engineers we came up with a plan that satisfies both Cal Trans and ADA. We are now waiting to hear back from the City of Sebastopol to see if they approve a 5 ft wide sidewalk instead of 10 ft.

Note: We appreciate the community's voice for the tree. Believe it or not, we love this magnificent tree at the entrance of Sebastopol.

---

We are excited to share the good progress of the Bunya Bunya tree! It looks like the City of Sebastopol agrees to relax their standards if Cal Trans can approve our new plan.

The meeting on the 16th has been postponed so that all parties can have time to approve the plan. We are waiting for our own approval to share this plan drawings with you all.

Thank you all for your voices!

(Barney showing his love for the Bunya Bunya tree)

Thanks for this good news, Barney. (Not Bernie, people! Do your homework.) Some of us knew you weren't wanting to cut the tree. What I wanted to post earlier, but didn't, is that those of you who think the ADA thing was a smoke-screen, just ask Teresa at the Seb. Chamber of Commerce about the havoc raised a few years ago by an entity who threatened expensive, ADA-based lawsuits against several downtown merchants. Never underestimate the power of sweeping and generic Federal regulations and those who want to abuse them!

Pam

Thanks, Barney. You are a good citizen. You set a good example for developers who want to be part of our community.

Thanks for clarifying Barney, not Bernie. I made the mistake, too, and I'm red-faced about it. Were I not down with the wretched flu virus, I would have caught it. But instead, I just looked at "Bernie" and thought, man, that doesn't look right yet did nothing.

And as far as ADA stuff goes, no one should ever think it is a smoke-screen. Non-compliance can be an enormous problem.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Bird Watcher:

Thanks for this good news, Barney. (Not Bernie, people! Do your homework.) Some of us knew you weren't wanting to cut the tree. What I wanted to post earlier, but didn't, is that those of you who think the ADA thing was a smoke-screen, just ask Teresa at the Seb. Chamber of Commerce about the havoc raised a few years ago by an entity who threatened expensive, ADA-based lawsuits against several downtown merchants. Never underestimate the power of sweeping and generic Federal regulations and those who want to abuse them!

Pam

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I LOVE this picture! Sexy... tree ;-)

Good job Barney! I'm really stunned by how well you are managing this whole project... This can ONLY come from having people you've worked with as a team previously. Too many parts are moving so fast, so decisions must be made quickly. You are quite polished in everything I've seen so far.

Please forgive my misspelling your name. Of course I should have known better, I guess my own parts are flying in too many directions!

I appreciate BirdWatcher's comments about ADA lawsuits (or goodness knows where the next piece of crap is going to fly for that matter). All the public comment will establish a clear history, so at least you'll be fine on that one. I am a stronger endorser for ADA, when it is REASONABLE and reviewed by those that need it.

I'm happy to be in Sebastopol and know that our town character matters to nearly everyone. When CVS and Chase were getting close to approval it upset me greatly. Both these companies earn business by coercion rather than goodwill. I want to know that where ever I chose to be in America, that good old fashioned business ethics was why I work with people.

That's how I see The Barlow working ...and it restores faith in my choice to be here instead of anywhere else in this HUGE world. We have quality people in every profession imaginable here! Real people according to everyone's definition. (((People should earn a living by the quality of relationships they have with others. This matters enormously!)))

Thanks to The Barlow for all your hard work. I look forward to experiencing what you are creating.

~Sereniti

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by The Barlow:

We are excited to share the good progress of the Bunya Bunya tree! It looks like the City of Sebastopol agrees to relax their standards if Cal Trans can approve our new plan.

The meeting on the 16th has been postponed so that all parties can have time to approve the plan. We are waiting for our own approval to share this plan drawings with you all.

Thank you all for your voices!

(Barney showing his love for the Bunya Bunya tree)

---

I am the Bunya Bunya

I am the Bunya Bunya, from the family of Monkey Puzzle trees…

https://www.waccobb.net/forums/wacco...01-16_1522.png

I have stood amongst you for generations,
So many sweet bird songs have been sung in my branches,
I am home to hundreds of species,
that no one is speaking for.

Squirrels chatter in my arms,
I feel the winds of change in my branches
I bend and sway so I may keep growing,
So can you!

I can live 500 years…
That’s many generations for you, my human sisters and brothers,
Do you not know that you cannot breath
If I do not live?
I am witness
to so many lumber trucks
carrying the corpses of my kin,
and yet I know
In your hearts
you care about me.
You don’t want
to sacrifice me to industry.

What puzzles me
Is that you make laws
that do not abide by the intrinsic laws of nature
and then feel compelled to uphold them.
Some of these laws say you
own me, how can that be?

One of your Supreme Court justices, William O Douglass,
declared in a court decision,
That Trees have Standing,
have the right to exist-
our autonomy rooted
in the rights of all species to exist.
The earth is not a resource but source, itself.

I like your song, “just like a tree standing by the water
I shall not be moved”…

I am an immigrant, my family is from Australia,
I am not an invader, you brought me here,
Maybe to deliver a message.
The people of Sebastopol have felt divided
again and again over the use of land.

The aboriginal people honored me as sacred,
I fed them and they gathered around me to declare
an end to all feuds.
I can help you heal.

Let go of your hubris, become humble
and really human;
the roots of all those words are the same;
they come from hummus, the earth itself,
All of creation is calling you home.

Circle me, let the music of the one song
break down your animosity,
let the drums of life
find resonance in your hearts.
All of us, you and I, are
one family.

Use your gift of consciousness wisely,
Every day you must choose between right and wrong,
it is not so hard, love will always guide you…

I know you can do it-
When you do are so beautiful, creative,
Celebrating life…
Let your children, and your children’s children,
be greeted by me-
they will tell the story of your finest hour;
When you were no longer puzzled.
by greed and power
I am standing tall among you, let me be!

Transcribed by Magick
speaking for the Bunya, Bunya

Thank you for this amazing poem! Love it!

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Magick:

I am the Bunya Bunya

I am the Bunya Bunya, from the family of Monkey Puzzle trees…
...
Transcribed by Magick
speaking for the Bunya, Bunya

---

and when will that collar.... that is impinging into the bark high up the trunk.... when will that be removed?

These Magick words moved me to tears....a very powerful message for all to take to heart.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Magick:

I am the Bunya Bunya

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Barney,
Thank you for finding a way to save this precious tree! I am touched in my heart by how you have worked with those of us who love the tree, as weird as it is, that's probably a part of loving it's uniqueness... and the various government agencies with a say. I feel like an asshole for my prior post on the tree, including misspelling your name.

I look forward to the opening of the Barlow, with one small caveat. I hope it doesn't turn Sebastopol into another Healdsburg. I love both towns, but I have more of an affection for Sebastopol, I was drawn here, by the various mystical elements of the town, the affection of people around here for the town, the care in affirming & keeping what is loved about the town, the localness & non touristy aspects, the beauty of west county, and the closeness of the sea.
Tomas

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Sereniti:

Thanks to The Barlow for all your hard work. I look forward to experiencing what you are creating.

---

Now I know why you are called Magick! Thank you for speaking for the Bunya Bunya part of US!
These words brought a gush of tears for your openhearted Being with him, hearing him, feeling him speak from inside you - what a gift!
Rev. BE :heart:

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Magick:

I am the Bunya Bunya...

---

Friends, I am heartened by the concern for saving the life of the Bunya, Bunya tree, and thank you for your appreciations for my poem.

I ask you to also become aware of the plans to cut trees the size of 8 football fields up in Gualala. Two projects, Preservation Ranch and Artesa, are in the pipeline and MUST BE STOPPED!. We will need everyone to get involved. Please go to https://gualalariver.org/ for the background story.

If we let them these multinational corporations will clearcut the tops of mountains, killing thousands of trees, the home of deer and so many of our other brothers and sisters, and dumping silt in creeks all to make more wine.

Many of you appreciated Efren Carrillo for his support of medical marijuana but you need to understand that the money that put Efren in office had no vested interest in this issue so he could, and did, gain a lot of political capital when hundreds of you showed up at the Board of Supervisors.

Those who follow these issues are very sure that Efren will support these clearcuts, and I hope you will not expect Efren to do the right thing then. I personally have asked Efren to speak out against them but he won't.

He will tell you they will "perserve a swath of forest" which is just a cover for the massive destruction.

Let him and the other supervisors know you oppose this.

The miracle we need in this county is to turn "The Wine into Water"! There is already way too much land used for alcohol, moderation is needed in drinking as well as production.

SAVE THE TREES!
yours in truth, Magick

We are living through the time of the great "extraction." This extraction has enabled governments and businesses to function without morality. At the core of this battle for stewardship is our humanity. This is a stand for life, all of life and if that's not worth it, then what is?

Strong new is never as good as strong old. I'm sure this magnificent tree has stories to tell :). No tree should ever be cut down unless they are a hazard or dying, period.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by tomcat:

Perhaps the Barlow folks would agree to plant 5 or 10 new ones of this type of tree in the development or in a park somewhere to replace this old one. That would be a nice gesture. I hate to see nice old trees cut down, but when they are replaced with strong young new ones, it feels better.

---

Avatar comes to mind. How a collective conscious comes together with action and not hot air is THE challenge.

There are tribes rippling the world. Many know who I refer to here =) We all need to seek out those tribes and be committed individually to conservative consumption and acts to restore what we borrow from the earth.

I see people's distress. This is very real under-current that is deeply affecting us. Our constitution must change and real people held accountable for their actions.... It isn't the only answer, but it is a HUGE piece.

I have a feeling this conversation is about to get alot bigger.... I'm just a little person who has little affect on that law.... but then I realized even the little people can get creative!

Did anyone hear about the guy in Marin who drove the carpool lane with his corporation papers. When the cop pulled him over, the driver said hey, I have a person in my car. Cop said no you don't. ....I can't wait to hear how THAT goes down in court!

I see these kind of stunts exploding all over the place as people become more passionate in creating change.

What we each do matters, so please continue to have courage and believe that you too can ripple the world.

~Sereniti

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by dominus:

We are living through the time of the great "extraction." This extraction has enabled governments and businesses to function without morality. At the core of this battle for stewardship is our humanity. This is a stand for life, all of life and if that's not worth it, then what is?

---

Yes... gratitude for the poem, and the insights from all of our neighbors :heart:! Hello from the north county where all this destruction is taking place!! I am a member of the Coastal Hills Land Trust in the Ft. Ross area of the county. I agree with you, Magick, every step of the way. I have been in this area for only 12 years, and I have seen first hand the destruction & despoiling of the land, the water and the habitat for so many of our wildlife, only for the sake of profit and vanity!! Profit because the agricultural and logging interests only see "products" from this endangered landscape, money to be made from land that will not recover anytime soon! And, the vanity we have witnessed by well meaning neighbors who do not understand at all the larger environmental implications of their special "dream" of owning their own vineyard or tasting room in an area which does not support the industrial traffic, the large number of tourists, or the development of this important fragile ecosystem.

I also agree about our friend Efren on the board of Supervisors. He is young and I was hoping we might educate him about various aspects of the environment in these coastal hills. I pray he reads this as I am not giving up hope that we all might help each other learn about what is most important now in these times of discord, fear and anger. We also have been at the board meetings many times for these issues, and often, no matter how much research we have done, showing legal precedents, with facts checked etc., the board listens very distractedly, and then rules in the opposition's favor. It is always obvious who is "paying" for these decisions.

I feel that the issue of the sacred Bunya Bunya tree and the issues of saving this incredible landscape from further destruction are so related. For those interested in our work up in these coastal hills as well, check out our announcement on the board here for the film about Judi Bari. We are the the Coastal Hills Land Trust, a community dedicated to preserving the ecosystem here in the coastal hills near Ft. Ross. "Who Bombed Judi Bari?" is the film to be shown here 1/26, and we hope to get support to preserve this land for the future. Thanks everyone! :Yinyangv:

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Magick:

Friends, I am heartened by the concern for saving the life of the Bunya, Bunya tree, and thank you for your appreciations for my poem.

I ask you to also become aware of the plans to cut trees the size of 8 football fields up in Gualala. Two projects, Preservation Ranch and Artesa, are in the pipeline and MUST BE STOPPED!. We will need everyone to get involved. Please go to https://gualalariver.org/ for the background story.

If we let them these multinational corporations will clearcut the tops of mountains, killing thousands of trees, the home of deer and so many of our other brothers and sisters, and dumping silt in creeks all to make more wine.

Many of you appreciated Efren Carrillo for his support of medical marijuana but you need to understand that the money that put Efren in office had no vested interest in this issue so he could, and did, gain a lot of political capital when hundreds of you showed up at the Board of Supervisors.

Those who follow these issues are very sure that Efren will support these clearcuts, and I hope you will not expect Efren to do the right thing then. I personally have asked Efren to speak out against them but he won't.

He will tell you they will "perserve a swath of forest" which is just a cover for the massive destruction.

Let him and the other supervisors know you oppose this.

The miracle we need in this county is to turn "The Wine into Water"! There is already way too much land used for alcohol, moderation is needed in drinking as well as production.

SAVE THE TREES!
yours in truth, Magick

---

A beautifully written article in Sonoma West Times & News about the Bunya Bunya tree. Please take a moment to read and hear from Barney (the Developer).

https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_we...a4bcf887a.html

Thank you!

Here's the article since it's behind a pay wall.

https://i.imgur.com/yv1Iu.png

Bunya bunya tree enjoys stay of execution

Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 12:11pm
by David Abbott Sonoma West Editor
[email protected]

Aldridge willing to ‘handcuff himself to the tree’ to save it

The Australian bunya bunya tree on the corner of Sebastopol Avenue and Morris Street has survived for at least another week, as Barlow developer Barney Aldridge has vowed to do everything in his power to save the tree from removal.

“I’m gonna handcuff myself to that tree if I have to, but I’m feeling pretty good about it,” he said. “We’ll know a lot more in a week. We’re spending a lot of money and bringing in the best minds to work on it.”

A meeting to decide the tree’s fate scheduled for Wednesday (Jan. 16) was canceled as Aldridge wrestles with alternative plans for infrastructure upgrades to the southeast corner of the Barlow project.

The trials and tribulations of the 80-foot tree, which has stood at the east entrance to the city for several generations and is rumored to have been planted by Luther Burbank or his wife, came to light at the Jan. 2 Tree Board meeting.

In order to complete improvements to the corner that are part of Aldridge’s agreement with the city, the sidewalk needs to be brought up to Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, as well as conforming to both Caltrans and City of Sebastopol guidelines.

After evaluating the corner, however, “the project team, City Engineer and City Arborist agree(d) that there (was) no alternative to the removal of the tree,” according to the Tree Board staff report for the Jan. 2 meeting.

Hence, Aldridge was forced to apply for a tree removal permit, which included a plan to move the Canary Island palm tree, located near the bunya bunya, closer to the corner to serve as a replacement.

“It has always been Barney’s intent to preserve the tree. The plan was approved with that in mind,” Planning Director Kenyon Webster said last week. “He would like to keep the tree, but in building the ADA ramp, the city and Caltrans require an elevation difference because of the roots.”

https://img2u.info/ckgni/i/8e70a0c3.jpg
Photo: Tyler Brassel
Cali-Bunya - The bunya bunya tree on the corner
of Sebastopol Avenue and Morris Street stands in the way
of improvements to the corner. Developer Barney Aldridge
is working with city officials to find a solution to spare the tree.

According to Planning Department analysis, the sidewalk grade would have to be lowered by 2 feet and the curb radius would have to be changed in order to be brought into ADA compliance. That would necessitate removing a significant portion of the tree’s healthy roots growing under the existing sidewalk, which could lead to destabilization or the death of the tree.

Destabilization would create a hazard for both cars and pedestrians, while the death of the tree would make the discussion moot.

The issue is further complicated by the existence of a power pole and traffic lights, which decreases the space available for the sidewalk.

Aldridge believes he may be able to get the city to agree to a new plan that includes narrowing the sidewalk from 10 feet to 5 feet, but sees more problems with the larger government agencies.

“ADA, Caltrans and the city all have their standards,” he said. “It’s challenging as there is not a lot of room there. We might need the community to step up and help convince Caltrans.”

The tree’s fate may have already been sealed, but questions about the proper public notification surfaced. The discussion was moved to the Jan. 16 date, but Aldridge’s efforts to find an alternative solution led to a further continuance.

In the interim, the Planning Department received several letters from concerned citizens wanting to save the tree, although Design Review Board member Lynn Deedler had a different take on the matter.

“I hope you will not encourage others to save this tree based on the simple ideology that trees are good and should be saved,” Deedler wrote in an e-mail to Planning. “Judgment should come from weighing all the issues. Many needs and values go into the equation that determines if this tree removal is justified, and my conclusion is the removal is justified. This opinion comes from someone who values trees more than most and who has fought hard battles to save trees in Sebastopol, often a lonesome battle. And who has cared for and planted more trees than you can imagine.”

Deedler proposed preserving “a major section of the trunk” and incorporating it into the adjacent landscaping in order to help preserve the historic nature of the site, which he sees as lacking in the current state of the project.

But if Aldridge — and a vocal number of Sebastopol residents — can come up with an alternative solution, the removal of the bunya bunya may not be necessary.

“I want the community to be clear: I want to keep the tree,” Aldridge said. “Sometimes in life, someone has to compromise. We’re trying to step on as few toes as possible. I appreciate the community’s love for the tree and willingness to get involved, but we may need the community to get more involved.”

Aldridge said there is an April target date for opening the Barlow, so he hopes the tree issue is settled within the next 30 days. He expects to have a new plan sometime within the next week.

“The city has an interest in seeing these improvements,” he said.

The city also has an interest in keeping the tree.

“Nobody’s happy about (removing) it. It’s a big, prominent landmark,” Webster concluded.

"Deedler proposed preserving a major section of the trunk " -

you have to be kidding , this idea is just hilarious .
Or maybe we could make a photo post-card to sell , so every one could remember 'The Tree" and what it was like ....”
{it could even be a scratch&sniff , to really appreciate its natural beauty }.

I am all in favor of cutting this ugly, dangerous, out of place tree. Cut it, slab it, and make picnic tables with the slabs. It was probably planted when Luther Burbank was doing his horticultural experiments. It's time has run. If you like, hold a public funeral. Amen

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by caverly:

"Deedler proposed preserving a major section of the trunk " -

you have to be kidding , this idea is just hilarious .
Or maybe we could make a photo post-card to sell , so every one could remember 'The Tree" and what it was like ....”
{it could even be a scratch&sniff , to really appreciate its natural beauty }.

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How arrogant for any man to choose commerce and finance before nature and living things, to choose cutting down such a majestic tree, native or not, before relinquishing just one parking spot.

Commerce, finance or parking are not the issues. Please read the prior posts on this thread, especially this post for the current status.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by David MySky:

How arrogant for any man to choose commerce and finance before nature and living things, to choose cutting down such a majestic tree, native or not, before relinquishing just one parking spot.

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The Bunya Bunya tree lives 500 years. It could live another 400 years and probably much longer. Probably a lot longer than the Barlow Buildings will continue to stand. And it looks a lot nicer than those new tin shacks.

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by Ice Queen:

I am all in favor of cutting this ugly, dangerous, out of place tree. Cut it, slab it, and make picnic tables with the slabs. It was probably planted when Luther Burbank was doing his horticultural experiments. It's time has run. If you like, hold a public funeral. Amen

---

Quote:

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Posted in reply to the post by David MySky:

How arrogant for any man to choose commerce and finance before nature and living things

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yep, I think a little species self-hate is good for us. Just because we can use language and abstract thinking, doesn't mean we should have used them. You don't see other animals trading among themselves, after all. 'Course, they do steal from each other all the time... so I guess you can have larceny even before you develop the idea of commerce.

I haven't been on Wacco in awhile, and wondered about the latest developments on the Bunya Bunya tree?
Anyone?

Thanks,
Shandi

Shandi, its been saved now we need to think about the bigger picture with the proposed Artesa, and Preservation ranch mountain top tree removal for what we don't need, more grapes.
Please go to gualalariver.org and get up-to-date so we are all ready to stop these destructive plans. In solidarity, magick :thumbsup:

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Posted in reply to the post by Shandi:

I haven't been on Wacco in awhile, and wondered about the latest developments on the Bunya Bunya tree?
Anyone?

Thanks,
Shandi

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