Atascadero to remove aging Deodar cedar from downtown Sunken Gardens
Tree, estimated at 100 years old, shows signs of decline
– A local tree contractor is scheduled to remove one of the heritage Deodar cedar trees from Sunken Gardens in downtown Atascadero this week, according to a press release from the City of Atascadero. The removal is expected to take one day, during which East Mall will be closed. Businesses along East Mall will remain open, and parking will be available in the City Hall lot at East Mall and Lewis Avenue or along El Camino Real.
The tree, estimated to be about 100 years old, has experienced a prolonged decline attributed to age. City officials said the tree now poses a safety risk to park users and must be removed. Other cedar trees in the area may also require removal in the future as they continue to age.
Sunken Gardens is a designated historic resource and was part of E.G. Lewis’s original plan for the Colony of Atascadero. The four cedar trees were intentionally placed to enhance the landscape around the fountain and sculptures in the park and to complement the setting of Historic City Hall.
The removal will create visual balance in the park, as a similar cedar on the opposite side was removed in 2017. A new cedar will be planted in the area of the removed tree in the near future.
The wood from the removed tree will be delivered to Deadwood Revival Design, a local mill and furniture company. Unprocessed cedar wood will be available for purchase by Atascadero residents this fall, with kiln-dried wood available in the summer of 2026. Residents interested in purchasing the wood can contact Deadwood Revival Design at (805) 552-5897 or visit www.deadwoodrevivaldesign.com.
