Additional contact:
City of Saratoga
|Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
[email protected]
Media Line: 408-806-5937
The Santa Clara Valley Water District will soon proceed with the removal of up to 30 eucalyptus trees that pose a threat to public safety along Saratoga Creek between Cox Avenue and Prospect Road. The trees’ health has declined due to the multi-year drought, and the presence of wood-boring insects and decay fungi in the grove. Certified arborists have determined that these trees need to be removed to mitigate a safety hazard to the adjacent properties and PG&E distribution lines. The water district previously removed 10 dead trees from this grove, and plans to remove additional impacted eucalyptus trees in the same grove in the fall of 2018 through 2020.
The City of Saratoga has issued a permit for the next phase of tree removal work, and the water district has received a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The work is expected to begin on April 2, and continue for three weeks. Improvements to the stream bank and erosion control measures will follow. Residents have been informed of the work.
The water district will also remove the thick blanket of accumulated bark, twigs and leaves that pose a potential fire hazard. Following the tree removal work, the water district will plant and maintain native vegetation, which will be more adaptable to drought conditions. The district will monitor and maintain the new plants once they have been installed and continue weed abatement and replacement planting over the next several years.
The water district conducts maintenance work along streams all year long as part of its Integrated Vegetation Management Program. This program helps streams stay healthy by addressing plants that are invasive, diseased or damaged, or a potential public safety concern.