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PG&E destroys 20 palm trees at The Graduate

December 18, 2014

By KAREN VELIE

After a large eucalyptus tree crashed into a power line, PG&E destroyed 20 older palms trees located at The Graduate Restaurant and Nightclub in San Luis Obispo, even though the removal appears to violate city and state laws.

During last week’s storm, a large eucalyptus tree toppled during the storm, taking with it a palm tree that tore down power lines and impacted service. PG&E crews then went to the location and their arborist determined 20 palm trees needed to be destroyed because the palms “presented future potential hazards,” PG&E spokesman Blair Jones said.

Crews cut the tops off 20 healthy palm trees leaving just the trunks. Removing the top of a palm kills the tree.

The Graduate Restaurant

PG&E crews then left the tops of the trees and debris scattered on the ground.

The Graduate 2More than 35 years ago, Bill Everett built The Graduate Restaurant and Nightclub and planted the palms.

“I watered them and took care of them for 35 years,” Everett said his voice cracking. “We could have trimmed the palms, if they had asked I would have trimmed them immediately, but they cut the tops off. They just killed the trees.”

According to PG&E’s website, when a palm tree is located within 10 feet of a power line, the electric company gives the tree owner two options, either let them cut the top off the tree or let them cut the tree down to the ground.

However, Everett said PG&E did not attempt to contact him about the trees.

PG&E Spokesperson Blair Jones said PG&E received signed permission from Everett’s representative to remove trees directly next to the power lines. When asked for a copy of the permission and the name of Everett’s representative, Blair emailed that PG&E would not disclose the name or provide CalCoastNews with a copy of the permission form.

Everett has not been able to determine the identity of his alleged representative.

Nevertheless, while California Public Resources Code Section 4293 permits power companies to clear vegetation from between 4 to 10 feet of a power line depending on the voltage, at The Graduate some of the palms PG&E destroyed were planted 25 feet from the closest power line.

“The trees are directly next to the power lines,” Blair said in an email response to questions about the 10 foot California code requirement.

In addition, San Luis Obispo’s Tree Ordinance requires PG&E to contact a city arborist before removing trees. According to San Luis Obispo Ordinance 1544, if a tree creates an “imminent hazard to life or property,” it can be removed without a permit, but a city arborist must approve the removal.

City Arborist Ron Combs is looking into the removal of trees without contacting the city which Combs said could result in fines to PG&E.

“It is a slippery slope,” Combs said. “Millions of trees could be potential hazards.”


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Seriously…we are talking about trees getting their tops cut off when terrorists are cutting off the heats of children and girls around the world, what Americans think is important is sure strange.


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Actually Rich, I do talk a lot about that with friends and other places. They don’t usually post those kinds of topics here. If they did I, as I’m sure others probably would, would comment. Go look at the article about torture here on C.C.


I and I think others, read more than just one thing. Just because we post on this doesn’t mean we aren’t up to speed on others.


What concerns me more is in the main press when I see Kim and Kanye getting more press than what you talked about.


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Imagine the same quick action for removal of dishonest and useless county supervisors from the board. Now you see ‘em, now you don’t. No muss, no fuss. Just G-O-N-E. It’s okay to dream.


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I like the way you think Mariposa!


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Except that it is a slippery slope. Who gets to determine which ones are “G-O-N-E” and which ones are not? Be careful what you wish for…


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One or two taken down would be understandable, but 20? This is nothing short of Palmocide!

I also have it from a green radical group that any movies released that spotlight palms better watch out. That little movie theater across from the parking structure comes to mind.


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I am not sure about these particular trees but there are many Tree companies who will pay big money for mature palm trees, I wonder if that was ever considered?


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On that type of palm you can get about $50.00 dollars a foot. I’m a palm nut and Washingtonia’s go for that. That may be on buying end for mature for take out, shipping and replanting.


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Those trees aren’t worth transplanting. They’re too big for the market. Most projects will spec trees half that height and of uniform size so they look mature but aren’t at maximum maturity height. The smaller trees can be dug and transported at much lower cost. Digging those trees with their tops in such close proximity to the 13kV + conductors make it an extremely hazardous and worthless endeavor.


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Exactly Bob.


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They don’t look like fan palms to me


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Washingtonia filifera: Mexican Fan Palm, to be precise.


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Correction: Washingtonia robusta. I hate that we can’t edit! I have filifera on the brain for some reason.


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Sad thing is I don’t think the palms took the lines down, it was a large eucalyptus.


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Here is the rub. People are bitching about them cutting down the trees. Does anyone know why this started to get like this and you see them butcher trees? About twenty years ago up in northern CA. a tree fell onto a PG&E line. That in turn started a fire. Well of course said fire need fire suppression. So it all added up to $$$$. Well someone has to pay right? So they sued PG&E. PG&E said………….why are we at fault??? Response……..you should have kept the lines cleared around your utility lines. So THAT is why we are where we are today. I remember when it happened I thought it was ludicrous in finding them liable. So I say in this case I don’t blame PG&E go and find the A-holes that wanted this in court!!!!!


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Well, technically, if it is in their right-of-way (or easement) then PG&E would be at fault, as well as within their right to cut down the trees.


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P….Palms

G…Gone

&

E…Eradicated


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What a shame!

It will take decades to grow trees with such height again.


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The bulk of those trees are clearly within the right-of-way criteria and could easily become electrocution hazards in the right weather conditions. The whole “city permission” aspect of this situation is a non-issue. The deed needed to be done. Palm trees are enviRon mental crap, anyway. Their biomass is a tax on landfills and composting operations. They’re simply worthless aside from creating that stereotypical “California” image.


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IF these palms are California Fan Palms, then there might be an issue related to the fact that they are the only native palms to western north America.

any issue I might have with this issue is if they cut the trees on private property without notifying the owner(s). At this point that doesn’t seem clear.

I don’t think PG& E would deliberately and or arbitrarily destroy trees.


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