Environmental Impact

The Castilleja project will be required to submit an environmental impact report (EIR). In their recent plans, Castilleja has agreed to save some trees, but they still intend to "transplant" a row of 7 maturing redwood trees. The City Arborist has already said the survival rate is poor and the trees would have to be held up with guide wires.

 
Among the 168 trees, there are 122 trees on the Castilleja School campus. Additionally, there are 42 street trees and 4 trees located on a neigboring property at Emerson and Embarcadero.

Among the 168 trees, there are 122 trees on the Castilleja School campus. Additionally, there are 42 street trees and 4 trees located on a neigboring property at Emerson and Embarcadero.

Tree #112. Photos courtesy of Rob Levitsky.

Tree #112. Photos courtesy of Rob Levitsky.

Tree #112

This 120-year old redwood was removed in early November 2016. The neighbors paid for a second arborist to evaluate the tree's condition and the results were not as conclusive. Reluctantly, the tree was removed. Once the root was exposed sufficiently the disease was not as bad as described in the initial report.

Read the Palo Alto Online story
Read the NextDoor Old Palo Alto thread

 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? 

The City relies on Castilleja to hire an arborist. The City has their own arborist but resources are limited and the City needs Castilleja to pay for a formal analysis.

Dave Dockter
City of PA Arborist
650-496-5953
[email protected]

 

GROUNDWATER IMPACT

Groundwater removal for residential construction has been controversial for years. 

There is a Palo Alto organization focused on this issue, Save Palo Alto's Groundwater!