Board backs limited emergency removals near Main Library, orders pruning and requires replacement plan

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on Nov. 10 acted on multiple appeals over Public Works’ plan to remove ficus street trees adjacent to the Main Library (100 Larkin St.). The board voted 4–0 to permit removal of a subset of hazard trees identified by the Bureau of Urban Forestry, to require pruning of the remaining trees, and to ask Public Works to coordinate with community groups on a planting and mitigation program.

Appellants — neighborhood advocates, independent arborists and tenants’ groups — urged the board to continue the matter and to revive the community working group that prepared a 2020 mitigation plan. They argued the Tenderloin and Civic Center have disproportionately low canopy cover and that the city should pursue basin repair and targeted interventions (excavation and basin remediation) rather than mass removals. Appellants presented independent arborist assessments and community petitions and asked the board to require a phased approach, more documentation of inspections, and a larger replacement commitment.

Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUFF) described repeated inspections, the May 29 root‑crown failure at the library entrance and a September branch failure. BUFF officials said many ficus show codominant stems, reverse trunk taper and root‑crown burial in paving basins that leave them vulnerable to wind and root failure. BUFF proposed removing the most hazardous trees and replacing removed trees with large, water‑tolerant species and planting within six months on the library frontage and seeking a 2:1 replacement across the immediate Civic Center/Tenderloin area within a year if funding is secured.

After discussion the board approved a motion that focused immediate authority on removing the eight most‑deficient trees identified in BUFF’s record, ordered pruning to improve canopy safety on the remaining trees, and recorded the board’s expectation that BUFF work with community partners on a replacement plan with the aim of improving canopy equity (the board asked staff to draft a letter to the Board of Supervisors to support a neighborhood plan). Several commissioners also urged a phased approach and stronger documentation of inspections. The board recorded its expectation of replacement in the coming months and asked for regular follow‑up from BUFF and library staff.