In Oakland, one needs a permit to cut down any tree larger than a sapling. California native oaks are protected under Oakland law. Basically, a property owner cannot cut down a native oak just because it is in his way.
When the Oakland City Hall was under construction in 1999, plans were modified in order to protect the oaks in the plaza in front of the building. The Jack London Oak has special status, and extra precautions were taken to keep it safe. A special no-work zone surrounded the tree in order to protect its roots. Special inspectors supervised the site near the tree. Even so, ignorant construction workers damaged the tree. The inspector shut down the construction immediately. It looked as though they had destroyed the oak, and there was serious discussion about cutting it down before it fell on someone.
Happily, the Jack London Oak survived. The survival of the Claremont oaks is in doubt. Little value is placed on trees by the current management. In 1999, trees were cut along Tunnel Rd. with no prior notice. One can blame the highway dept. for doing the actual cutting, but the fact remains, the trees were axed at the Claremont's request.
Will the Claremont protect its oaks? Will the Claremont allow inspectors to monitor its construction crews? Will the Claremont allow the inspector to stop work if an oak is threatened? Only if the community stands up for its trees.
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