Vice president raises alarm after city crew reportedly heavily prunes heritage oak in Belvedere Park

Vice President Breyer told colleagues she and neighbors discovered that a large, heritage oak in Belvedere Park had been heavily and improperly pruned over the holiday week. Breyer said limbs that previously formed a canopy were "chopped" and that the pruning did not follow arboricultural best practices.

"It was pretty devastating," Breyer said, adding that area residents contacted police and neighborhood groups. She said the work appeared to have been done by "a group that works for the city" and that they "supposedly did not have any permission to do such a thing. They didn't do it in a way that is, an arborist would approve." Breyer urged the city to be "extra cognizant" about protecting trees after investing in canopy restoration and an upcoming tree‑planting program.

Council members acknowledged the damage and Breyer’s concerns; no formal investigation or disciplinary action was announced during the conference. Breyer’s remarks placed the issue on the council’s radar for follow up by staff.