Posted by Joinpa, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2013 at 11:01 am

I believe that part of the issue with these Oaks not surviving is the poor watering or rather overwatering of Rinconada Park. I have lived by the park for over 20 year. OFTEN you can be walking through mud around or under the drip line of these big oak trees. The irrigation does not accomodate their growth.

Once they start watering the lawn again you may as well where some rain boots while walking across the lawn specificallty between the tennis courts and Walter Hays School. The lawn is either soaked or bone dry in various locations.

Posted by Barbara Slone, a resident of the Leland Manor/Garland Drive neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2013 at 11:10 am

I was very dismayed to read of these trees being felled. I believe the one that they are scheduling to remove next was the tree that I climbed many times as a child. If it is the one closest to Embarcadero it was the best tree for climbing growing up in Palo Alto. I remember an incident when my little brother climbed up that tree (encouraged by me and my older brother) and had to be rescued by my Dad who had to drive our '42 Chevy woody over to the park. He stood on the roof of the car which he had to pull onto the lawn of Rinconada Park to rescue my brother. I was just walking past that tree the other day and had very fond memories of being cradled in it's boughs for hours. So sorry to see it go but glad that it will be turned into mulch and recycled to help nourish other trees. This is a good way of honoring the life of this tree.

Posted by Native, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2013 at 6:51 pm

I grew up here, and spent all my girlhood summers climbing some of these oak trees. This really saddens me, as they are like old friends. But it is true that oaks do not like too much water, it gives them root rot. Too little, and they are prone to oak viruses ( my brother is a plant pathologist at UC Davis).

The California Live Oak is a state protected species, and it is a shame that the City Arborist has not seen to their proper care.

Posted by John, a resident of another community, on Feb 16, 2013 at 9:30 pm

I have the qualifications to be a Palo Alto Forester-- see a tree; cut it down.

Posted by Pat, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2013 at 9:39 pm

I've lost confidence in the City Arborist after the destruction and loss of so many Palo Alto trees --Cal Ave, San Antonio, Eleanor Pardee Park.