Downed trees to Landscape Logs: Re-purposing with a purpose
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The Landscape /Open Space Department is continuing its efforts to remove flammable trees within 100 ft of homes. Non-Native trees are especially targeted for removal as they are often highly flammable.
To this end, in August, a grove of 18 Eucalyptus trees growing right up to homeowner property but in Open Space area were removed.
Part of the cost of these removals is disposal of the wood and chips. All of it needs to be cleaned up and hauled away for reduction of fire hazards. And all the haul off is part of the cost we bear to clear our areas.
As the picture shows, stacks of logs need to be removed, and the HOA bears the burden of this cost.
However, by working with our tree company vendors, these logs and many more that are removed in the future, will be cut in such a way as to be re-purposed as landscape material.
This is where our median upgrades come in. Initially we were looking at using railroad ties to border the new Island Beds, but the cost was surprisingly prohibitive. At the same time, these trees that had to be removed were carefully cut in such a way as to be used for that same purpose and not only at no cost but at lowered cost to the contract amount as the HOA was hauling off the logs the contractor would have costs to recover to remove.
As time goes on, and these, mostly eucalyptus, trees are removed for fire safety reasons, we will now see them re-purposed in our landscape designs.
We hope you enjoy our continued efforts to improve our Open Spaces and common areas for the enjoyment of all while still being fiscally responsible and cognizant that every dollar spent is YOUR dollar being spent.
Nancy Zadrozny
Landscape / Open Space Manager
