Healdsburg Oak Tree at Community Garden, 130 Years Old, Might Be Chopped Down

The ancient and beloved local oak tree that grounds a new Healdsburg community garden is at risk of being torn out by local government officials. It’s a “spread valley” oak, at least 130 years old, at the “Lil Ag Equity Garden” run by local food-justice nonprofit Farm to Pantry on county-owned land at the intersection of Mason and Harmon streets, right across from the Longboard Vineyards tasting room. And the Press Democrat reports that it narrowly dodged the chopper this past week. From the PD story: “The ailing tree had been scheduled to come down Friday, but it took only a few voices raised in its defense for officials to grant it a reprieve, at least for the moment. But the future of the oak, estimated at more than 130 years old, is still uncertain after two licensed arborists determined the tree’s declining health, including extensive root rot, made it unsafe. ‘I was hoping to recommend retaining this as a habitat tree,’ wrote Kevin Paul, a certified arborist and tree risk assessor with Sandborn Tree Service. ‘I’m sorry to say that the findings listed above reveal that this tree is too dangerous to have people anywhere near it.’ Healdsburg City Arborist James MacNair initially agreed with him, as did a second arborist hired by the county. Then MacNair re-examined the tree Thursday in the wake of public concerns raised late Wednesday. MacNair reportedly determined it might be possible to rehabilitate the oak, given some remaining healthy root material, with additional structural support and pruning, Sonoma County staffers said. That was good news to north county Supervisor James Gore, whose office facilitated the recent lease of the lot, which was put into use to grow produce for food-insecure residents.” But there’s still a chance that officials will decide it needs to be chopped down for everyone’s safety. The week before the oak’s near-death experience, Farm to Pantry leaders wrote on Facebook: “Hello Beloved Community, we have had 2 arborists assess this beautiful ‘Spread Valley’ Oak Tree on our Lil Ag Equity Garden (Mason St). It is dying of oak root rot, and the trunk is so decomposed that it is considered dangerous. We are getting yet another arborist to do a report — we would love to be able to fence it or retain it as a habitat tree. We will keep you posted. Come by and check out the garden across from Longboard; the raised beds are flourishing!” And a week before that, they wrote of the garden project: “It is coming along nicely. We planted exactly what our recipients said they and their families will eat. Land access is so important in a town that is so expensive to live in and is a wonderful way to provide nutritious hunger relief to those who need it most. Bonus: what used to be an unkept empty lot is now a thriving garden and is being put to its highest and best use — thanks to Supervisor Gore and the County.” (Source: Press Democrat & Farm to Pantry via Facebook & Farm to Pantry via Facebook & Google Maps)