SIX CASTRO STREET PALM TREES MARKED FOR REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT AFTER PUBLIC WORKS HEARING July 31, 2024

SIX CASTRO STREET PALM TREES MARKED FOR REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT AFTER PUBLIC WORKS HEARING By Steven Bracco Published on July 31, 2024 Six Castro Street Palm Trees Marked For Removal & Replacement After Public Works Hearing Castro Street will soon have six fewer palm trees after the San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW) held a hearing on removing them last week. The palm trees have long-troubled SF Public Works since they were originally planted 10 years ago as part of the Castro Streetscape Improvement Project. The palms have had difficulty settling in, suffered transplant shock, and have been vandalized. Public Works staff recommended removing six palm trees along the 400-500 blocks of Castro Street after one came down during a storm in February and injured a pedestrian at 18th and Castro streets. King Palms, as they're technically called, in front of Marcello's Pizza (420 Castro), Rossi's Deli (426 Castro) Gyros Xpress (495 Castro), Brick & Mortar Real Estate (587 Castro), and Buffalo Whole Foods (590 Castro) will be removed. "What led us to seek the removal of these six was in response to a very serious injury to a pedestrian," said SF Bureau of Urban Forestry's Chris Buck at the hearing. Buck explained that he and a team went out and assessed all the trees along Castro Street. "We believe it's caused by pink rot," said Buck about why the palm trees failed. Ultimately it will be up to a hearing officer to decide if the trees will be removed. DPW spokesperson Christopher Heredia tells Hoodline a decision will be made in the next 1-2 weeks. "Barring a reversal by the hearing officer, the six king palms will be removed in the next 30-60 days," said Heredia. "A reversal is unlikely given the precarious condition of the palms." At this time, a replacement tree species has not been identified. At the hearing, Buck said they plan to contact community groups for input. Additionally, there are currently three empty tree wells along the 400-500 blocks of Castro Street. DPW has not said if new trees will be planted in these. "King palms will not be an option as the species has failed to thrive in these tree basins," said Heredia. "Ginko biloba have been planted in nearby basins are thriving, so that species is a strong contender." During the hearing, John Nulty spoke in support of the tree's removal while asking if there was funding for the tree's replacement and how the remaining palms are faring. After the hearing Heredia acknowledged that the Public Works department is keeping its eye on the remaining palms. "Twelve healthy king palms remain in the district and will be monitored and maintained by our urban forestry inspectors and arborists," said Heredia. "In addition to the 12 remaining palms, there are 42 Ginko biloba in the project area."