Eucalyptus Removal Petition?

🌲 Share Your Concerns About the Eucalyptus Removal Petition (HERE)

Research shows: Homes are most at risk from wind-driven embers, which can travel long distances—crossing rivers, highways, and even cleared firebreaks. While tree removal might reduce fire intensity, it doesn’t ensure a home will survive. A better strategy is to prioritize home hardening and carefully maintain the first 5 feet around structures—also known as Zone 0—to reduce ember ignition risk.

Let’s Take a Long-Term, Balanced Approach to Fire Safety AND Environmental Stewardship

A petition on NextDoor—now titled “Remove Neglected and Dangerous Eucalyptus Trees from the Unincorporated Coast”—was previously named “Remove Eucalyptus from the Unincorporated Coastside: Severe Fire Risk.”
Its revised language now claims it does not call for widespread removal, yet concerns remain in favor of broad tree removal in empty lots, the MidPen area, and it targets the tree medians of El Granada.

⚠️ What the Petition Overlooks

1. Fire Risk in Medians Is Already Managed

• Median eucalyptus trees are not high priority per the (El Granada Wildfire Resiliency Scoping Project, San Mateo Resource Conservation District, June 2022).

• Wide streets surrounding the medians act as firebreaks.

• Grasses and limbs are cut annually by the Department of Public Works, and debris is cleared. As of 4/21/25 median grass was recently cut short and debris removed.

• The trees provide a cooling effect for the neighborhood as the climate heats up.

2. Insurance Concerns Lack Supporting Data

• Some adjacent homeowners report no issues with insurance related to the trees.

• Improved maintenance—not removal—could address future risks.

3. Environmental Impacts

• Tree removal may increase erosion and flooding, especially in lower areas.

• Established trees support moisture retention, cooling, and wind protection—critical as the climate warms.

4. Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Loss

• These medians provide habitat for birds of prey, many smaller birds, bats, insects, and migratory species.

• Sudden removal would disrupt ecological balance and likely increase rat populations.

5. Loss of Community Identity and Lower Granada Park Space

• The median trees are part of El Granada’s historic Burnham Plan and contribute to its unique character and park space.

✅ We Agree: Fire Safety Matters

Where fire breaks are inadequate, such as in Quarry Park or MidPen areas, we support improving them through responsible vegetation management—not blanket tree removal.

🌿 A Better Path Forward

Let’s build a thoughtful, long-term tree management plan that includes some of the petition suggestions and ours combined:

• Public forums to discuss fire prevention, tree strategy, and climate stability

• Professional oversight for tree maintenance, trimming, and removal when necessary

• A budget and phased timeline prioritizing highest-risk areas

• Replanting requirements for removed Eucalyptus trees where appropriate

• Clear roles for County oversight and resident participation

• Removal of legal obstacles to community-led planting on medians

📣 Take Action

• Visit these pages for more resources: 

• Use our letter template to share your concerns with San Mateo County

Let’s protect El Granada’s canopy and climate stability while keeping our community safe.

• Use the LETTER TEMPLATE AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK. You can copy and paste.

  • Sharing your concerns about the Petition with San Mateo County