Temptation

[David DeCristoforo]

Davis is a very "liberal" town. There is a perpetual competition with Palo Alto over which town has the most bicycles. We have, I am certain, more "tree huggers" per capita than any other town in the world. We have a "city arborist". And a tree commission. And rules and regulations regarding trees in such a quantity that they could fill a decent sized book. Pretty much about the only thing you can do to a tree here without a permit issued by the tree commission is water it. If you want to remove a tree or even trim one, you have to apply for a permit. then you have to wait until you get on the tree commission's agenda and wait for the next meeting to present your case as to why you want to mess with the tree. Then you have to wait again while the city arborist goes out to establish the veracity of your claims. If you are found to have a valid reason for wanting to trim or remove the tree, you must then wait another month during which time a poster is hung from the tree in question inviting any concerned citizen to register opposition. It's just as likely that the result of all of this will be that the city requires you to spend a small fortune treating the tree for ailments you didn't even know it had.


Davis also has an official "tree walk". Maps are available from the C of C and visitors can get one and then use it to guide themselves around town viewing many fine specimens. One of those trees is a huge elm that grows just outside the door of our cafe. It is truly a majestic tree and worthy of viewing. Especially if you are a turner! Looking down you first notice this choice little gem hugging the base:

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But don't stop there. Look up. There, about twelve feet off the ground. It's big brother:


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Wait…. we're not done yet. Look up even higher. See it? Hiding behind those branches? OMG… now there's two of them!

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It's stuff like this that makes me think about sneaking around in the night with a muffled chainsaw...

[ray hampton]

instead of a noisy saw , think about a water main under the sidewalk and the tree

[John Keeton]

David, for a small portion of the "haul", perhaps I could get admitted to the California bar for just this one case!;)

[charlie knighton]

John, i would think you would qualify as an expert or specialist. David they can only say no to yall, go for it.

[John Beaver]

Easier to ask forgiveness then permission. And what about a hand saw David ?

[David E Keller]

Maybe you could have Sarah Palin come down and have her photo made next to the tree… I'd bet they'd make you cut it down!:D

[Doug W Swanson]

Maybe you could mysteriously pull a few branches down in the next windstorm. Then you can say the tree 'has to come down'.....

[Jim Underwood]

Good grief. With all that red tape, if you had a problem tree, it'd likely do the damage before they got around to letting you fix it...

[BILL DONAHUE]

As I read this post I'm watching a John Stossel show titled "Illegal Everything" about our intrusive government and it's rather scary. I'd feel like you but decent law abiding people are being put in prison for things less serious than cutting a burl. Be careful!

[Jon McElwain]

Those look mighty nice! I think I would be more afraid of the fines than the jail time though...

[Kathy Marshall]

That poor tree. I really think someone needs to put it out of it's misery, it would be the humane thing to do. At the very least, those "tumors" need to be cut away, I'm sure they must be painful.

[Cheryl A. Prince]

Thanks alot David Keller! I laughed so hard I spit my morning coffee all over the computer keyboard! That's why I love this group...

[Doug Herzberg]

Davis is a very "liberal" town. There is a perpetual competition with Palo Alto over which town has the most bicycles. We have, I am certain, more "tree huggers" per capita than any other town in the world. We have a "city arborist". And a tree commission. And rules and regulations regarding trees in such a quantity that they could fill a decent sized book. Pretty much about the only thing you can do to a tree here without a permit issued by the tree commission is water it. If you want to remove a tree or even trim one, you have to apply for a permit. then you have to wait until you get on the tree commission's agenda and wait for the next meeting to present your case as to why you want to mess with the tree. Then you have to wait again while the city arborist goes out to establish the veracity of your claims. If you are found to have a valid reason for wanting to trim or remove the tree, you must then wait another month during which time a poster is hung from the tree in question inviting any concerned citizen to register opposition. It's just as likely that the result of all of this will be that the city requires you to spend a small fortune treating the tree for ailments you didn't even know it had.


I couldn't live in such a country.

Has Dutch Elm disease come your way? Perhaps you could simulate the symptoms and volunteer your noble tree to take one for the team to save the other elms in town.

[Bill Wyko]

Jeez, here in Tucson, we can cut the tree down, turn bowls from it and sell them in the driveway. It would be a tragedy if a car were to "Bump" into it on "accident" I watched that show "illegal everything" That falls right into that category. Another example of the government over stepping their boundaries. Next thing you know we'll live in a society like the one in Logan's Run.

[Michael Menzli]

I realize that we as wood enthusiast have our views and such but hopefully some of us can look at it from both sides. Obviously there is hypersensitivity in your area for a reason. Whether it be tree huggers or those trying to preserve species for years to come. Also CA went through that redwood crisis some years back so Im sure that has amplified things. I live in rural VA where logging is prob the #1 industry. I cant begin to tell you the negatives attached with such an industry. When done properly things look in order and the area preserved, and the forest can reestablish...but a majority of the time these areas are ransacked, trashed, and then overgrown with non native and invasive species..making it that much harder for the original forest to reestablish itself. While I think there are a few too many steps in your area the concept makes sense.I can only assume this law is not directed at the 1 man tree operation but slowing the bigger industry down from deforesting the area. Even reading the replies it seems like we as man feel entitled to do what we want when we want..not sure that should be the case..a little oversight is always good.

[Robert McGowen]

I am guessing that this is one of those "work in progress" threads and this is the very first picture in the series? ;)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Shop around for a woodturning arborist... then after it is legally harvested, split your take!

[Brian Kent]

Even though I actually agree with michael…


David, do you think you could petition the tree council to have those tree cancer tumors removed? You could even take responsibility for their proper recycling.

[Harvey Ghesser]

Seems to me, there are a whole bunch of legal sellers of fine burls versus destruction of public property. Just go buy a burl.

[Rick Markham]

I'm with Brian... hang signs from them saying "save our beloved tree from itself!" I'm doubly certain that there are quite a few citizens in California who have had a "face lift" why not get a "face lift" for your tree, those things are horrible looking!!! It must be suffering. (It's all how you sell it ;) )

[Michael Menzli]

Sorry to have a followup. I will say living in an area that has also been ravaged by blight and to see the likes of elm, ash, hickory and a few others go all but extinct gives me the countering thoughts as well. In talking with other woodsman many have the same views. While we dont have control of blights and such we can preserve what is there. If the tree was sick and or dying then I would be very supportive. I cut wood everyday but sustainably with the intent of replacing what I cut. I realize some posts are very tongue and cheek but burls arent necessarily an indication of sickness. They do open up the susceptibility to insect invasion and sickness but these would be very obvious. Sure curiosity is there but for a few $$ or a simple friendly gesture you can probably get your itch scratched for a bit.

Considering this is part of a tour one can assume that its fairly old and has attached history.

[Mike Cruz]

David, you just need to tell them that you NEED to rid the prescious tree of the cancerous growths so it can survive a full life...otherwise, it might not live as long as it "could". You would be doing the tree a service. ;)

[Bill Wyko]

I may suggest getting all the documentation you can in regards to removing burls and how doing so can actually extend the trees life. You may have a valid argument and win your case. It is true that a burl is a cancer on a tree. I'd be curious to see how they would look at this situation.

[Michael Menzli]

I may suggest getting all the documentation you can in regards to removing burls and how doing so can actually extend the trees life. You may have a valid argument and win your case. It is true that a burl is a cancer on a tree. I'd be curious to see how they would look at this situation.

Bill not sure what info. your going on but this is not true. There is no factual based data on what exactly causes a burl. Most associate with branch damage and or bug infestation. Also possible genetic or nutrient issues. Burls do not imply that a tree is sick or dying. Removing the burls will more than likely kill the tree, not sure how that can make a case for making the tree healthier. I am not opposed to harvesting lumber , I do so everyday but in a sustainable manner. All lumber I fell are dying or invasive species. To kill a tree for simple pleasure doesnt make a ton of sense when there are so many options out there.

[Cory Norgart]

Copper nails,,,,,,, they will be.beggimg to have it cut down in a year!!!!