Tree removed from sunken gardens
Photos of tree removal by Rick Evans.
–On Thursday, arborists removed one of the Deodar Cedar trees from Sunken Gardens in downtown Atascadero. West Mall was closed on Thursday during the work. The other trees in Sunken Gardens will be trimmed on June 19 and 20.
Over the past several years, the cedar tree has been in a state of decline, primarily due to age. It had reached a level of decline that makes it a safety risk to park users, according to the city. The Sunken Gardens was an integral part of EG Lewis’s vision for the Colony of Atascadero; it is a designated historic resource which contributes to the site and the setting of Historic City Hall and remains a very important aspect of Atascadero’s downtown and community culture. The locations of the four Deodar Cedars enhance the landscape, providing shade and adding to the nuance of the fountain and the sculptures that adorn the gardens.
A tree replanting process to replace the older trees if and when they are removed is included in the city’s vision for the Sunken Gardens. The city will return to the Planning Commission and City Council later this summer with a replanting plan that includes Sunken Gardens as well as the East and West Mall parkways to accommodate any future tree removals. The replanting will include an analysis of the current and historic context of the park as well as a community vision for the future.
