Resident warns of dangerous eucalyptus limbs; staff says trees are largely on private property

A participant raised alarm about falling eucalyptus branches after reporting that a branch had crushed a resident’s car and could have caused serious injury.

“I think having eucalyptus trees with the potential for dropping on the roads are extremely dangerous,” the participant said, describing two recent local incidents where branches fell onto vehicles. The Chair and staff explained that most problematic trees are on private property, placing them outside the traffic commission’s direct jurisdiction.

Mark Bridal, the gate supervisor, told the commission the homeowners’ association and its board have been working with American Arbor to identify and address hazardous trees on easements and private lots. “We’ve been doing what we can, including a drive-through with an arborist from American Arbor who [is] identifying not just eucalyptus trees, but other trees that are unhealthy or potential dangers,” Bridal said.

Commissioners and staff advised residents concerned about hazardous trees to raise the issue with the homeowners’ association and said the city’s authority is limited when the trees are privately owned. The commission did not take formal action; staff encouraged residents to present complaints to the association and to the city where easement maintenance applies.