Menlo Civic Center Monterey pine tagged for removal

Menlo Park may be a Tree City USA community but its canopy is aging, with many trees nearing what’s considered a normal life span. Age is one factor that contributes to a tree being more susceptible to disease – the type of tree is another. Both ultimately got the best of a large sculpted Monterey pine, an iconic centerpiece of the Menlo Park Civic Center, which is slated for removal. According to city engineering technician Whit Loy, the heritage tree is infested by the bark beetle and infected by pitch canker disease, for which there is no treatment or cure.

Photo by Chris Gulker