Yesterday, Bryan received permission from the City of Monte Sereno to remove the Hollywood Juniper from the back of the house.  Essentially, a Hollywood Juniper is a bush, or shrub, and is not covered by the Significant Tree ordinance.

We like to be squeaky-clean when it comes to following the ordinances in the City of Monte Sereno.

10.15.030 Significant trees; definition.

Trees deemed significant for the purpose of this Chapter are those whose visual importance to the neighborhood is sufficient to justify special efforts to protect and preserve them and whose loss would be of irremediable adverse impact on the environment. Factors to be considered in determining the significance of trees are age, size, rarity and appearance. Notwithstanding the preceding, each of the following is declared to be a significant tree or trees:

A. Oaks or redwood trees having a circumference greater than twenty (20) inches measured at a height of four (4) feet above ground level.

B. Any tree having a circumference greater than twenty-five (25) inches measured at a height of four (4) feet above ground level.

C. Any three (3) or more trees proposed to be removed from any parcel of property within a twelve (12) month period

Nik and Bryan worked on removing the Hollywood Juniper and then they made three trips to Guadalupe Land Fill with the debris.  Importantly, Guadalupe recycles and reuses garden waste so there was no land fill issues associated with the removal of the Hollywood Juniper.

Kate and Jo-Anne documented the event.  Kate will have an opportunity to help Bryan next Saturday …

Bryan starting to cut the Hollywood Juniper.

Under Nik's directions, Bryan continues cutting the Hollywood Juniper.

Kate and Bryan resting after cutting down (most of) the Hollywood Juniper.

Nik cooling off in the trench and enjoying some cold water.

The Hollywood Juniper at Guadalupe Land Fill, ready for recycling.

The job site is relatively clean at the front of the property. This space will be needed to pur the dirt from our upcoming trenching activities.

The stump from the Canary Island Pine remains at the job site. We had planned to use the rented chain saw to cut the stump into pieces. It is too large so we will engage someone with a stump grinder to address this issue so we can start trenching at the front of the property.