Re “Entrepreneurs Have Their Own Ideas About the City’s Coming Urban Forest”
Reviewing tree-planting trends and preferences that emerged regularly during the four community meetings exploring the city’s Urban Forest management plan, ficus trees were the first type mentioned.
“People expressed definite concerns about trees that present challenges, and ficus was consistently talked about,” said Public Works director Charles Herbertson. He is at the helm of the ambitious years-long plan.
One of the most encouraging signs to the city was residents’ “recognition of the value of trees to a community. They help make this a much nicer place to live in.”
Mr. Herbertson was most pleased that the community members agreed that now is the time for an urban forest, the right time to review and revise the tree population.
“A number of people said this is the time to renew the urban forest,” he said. “Not only are trees aging, some species may not be ideal for their locations. We will be looking at what kinds would be better suited.”
Mr. Herbertson, who has led Public Works for a decade, said that “a large part of Culver City’s recognition is through its trees. The Chinese Elm, for example, creates a special place in neighborhoods. The palm trees on the boulevard are kind of iconic.
“One person mentioned that an intuitive map of the area leads you through certain areas of the city that you recognize by the type trees fund there. People had a desire to continue that trend.”
Mr. Herbertson crowned the four meetings a success “because we had good input every time, even for the one meeting that was sparsely attended.”
In two months, on Saturday, April 25, City Hall will convene a final meeting to pay out plans for reforesting the community.
