We’ve been hearing a lot about “poor suitability” in the context of trees that San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (SFRPD) wants to cut down in Glen Canyon Park. Have they considered the “poor suitability” of the trees they might be planting?
Besides being extremely slow-growing and highly allergenic (because of their fine, wind-borne pollen), the native oak trees seem to have a hard time surviving in our windy city.
A neighbor reports:
“One of the five oak trees planted to replace the 100 plus eucalyptus and cypress destroyed in 2008 by the SFPUC water pipe project (to avoid the native plant area on Mt.Davidson) fell in the recent severe wind storm.
“Perhaps this is why oaks never grew on this hill? Even when sheltered by the sturdy M Davidson forest, this species is challenged to survive the winter winds and appears to be poorly suited for this location.”
San Francisco Forest Alliance 
It appears that San Francisco’s war on trees continues. Just the other day while walking around Lake Merced I saw four stumps on newly cut down trees. I believe they were Monterey Pine or Cypress. This is just north of the Harding Park drive to the boat house. By the looks of the stumps these were substantial trees. I suppose some bunch grass will be replacing them. I live near Sunset Blvd. and am always seeings limbs or whole trees being cut. I will admit within the last two years some new trees have been planted. Over half of them are now dead. I suppose for the NAP promoters all trees are “not suitable”.