Just like people, trees have a life span. This one happens to be at the end of its.

This could have been said 100 years ago. Whose to say when its time to die?

"Whose to say when its time to die?"

An Arborist?

Yes, an arborist is a professional tree expert.

However, whom do we believe, that is, your arborist, my arborist or an independent third party arborist. In my case, my arborist tells me that the tree has at least another 100 years of life.

Do we shoot the aily horse today, or try to treat it in hopes that it will live a full and prosperous life? Perhaps we should leave these types of decisions to a higher power.

"higher Power"?

The American Board of Certified Arborists and Tree Surgeons?

I'm fine with an independent third party arborist's assessment.

Is there an explanation of why they chose to cut this down?

If it's because it's sick and old, and putting property and/or people at risk - this is reasonable.

If it's to add a parking space, and the tree is fine - well, okay, you have a point.

Sounds like Laurel School all over again. Arborists. Diseased or safety reasons. It's coming down. How about planting your own tree in its honor and move on.

This tree long ago stopped converting CO2 into wood. Tear it down and plant a few more in its place and we will be taking steps to save the planet.

Why not be irresponsible and let it fall during a near future storm?

If you go and look at the tree in question, it has a huge open gash where a large part of the trunk split off and fell. Now the remaining tree is unbalanced, and the very fact of the previous breakage indicates the tree is not in a good state. I'm all for preserving trees where possible, but there are times when the prudent thing to do is remove the tree before it falls and causes serious property damage and possible injury.

Is this particular tree worth saving? If an arborist has looked at it and recommended removal, and having seen why with my own eyes, the answer has to be "no."

A Certified Arborist and Tree Surgeon is like a doctor who is also an undertaker. There is a built-in conflict of interest because arborists make their living both diagnosing and treating trees, and cutting them down. Yes, they get paid for diagnosing and treating, but they get a large lump sum for cutting them down, as anyone in our city has experienced. For a tree this old and large it will be upwards of $4,000 for removal which is a lot more than they'll make filling a cavity and trimming branches.

The fact is that if we cut down every tree that has unhealthy parts we will live in a landscape of seedlings because all mature trees have imperfections. An open gap in the trunk or a limb can be filled. Heavy branches can be wired. Canopies can be trimmed to relieve weight so they don't snap in bad weather. That's just part of regular tree maintenance and well worth it for the benefits that trees provide to Menlo Park. Don't euthanize this grand old living monument -- if it is still producing a canopy it should be allowed to survive.

Sick:

you going to pay for the extraordinary measures necessary to "save" this tree?

As Tunbridge mentioned and I've seen the specific tree in question, it is unbalanced after loosing a large part of its trunk. It has a large open gash. The next big storm could knock it down into the building next to it. It is sad to see such old and magnificent tree go, but let's honor it by planting another oak tree that future generations can benefit from.

Half the comments are by people who have been to Nealon once, by accident.

Menlo Park has beautiful trees, and lots of old oaks. Many of them are becoming sick, and will soon die. It is better and safer to take care of the danger before someone gets hit by a falling branch, or the entire tree.

Save your breath for the trees that are being felled to make way for a bigger home, or a new school campus.

So Long Tree - I am sure I saw you more than once.

Menlo Park Co-Op graduate and Menlo Park Softball player

And with all the trees coming down because of the drought, good luck finding a tree surgeon.

Trees, by Joyce Kilmer (1886 - 1918)

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain,
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
but only God can make a tree.

Mark your calendar, as Monday, November 16, 2015 the beloved 200+ year Valley Oak tree is scheduled to come down - forever. It will be a sad day in Menlo Park, when shooting the horse is more expedient than nursing it back to health. This tree may have problems, but given a fair chance, it may spring back to a full and productive life. Honestly, taking a step back and taking a full view of it, one finds that it has great color, seems relatively balanced, provides shade and overall does what trees do best.

People can die from falling trees.
If there is a question what arborist would make a decision that might
put someone's life at risk ... or take on chance of being wrong and liable
for a bad decision that killed someone?

Don't say I didn't tell you so.
One more tree in Menlo Park has hit the dust.
How many more trees will be cut down to the ground?
What controls or safeguards are in place?
More questions than answers.
Is it time or perhaps way overdue to consider reviewing this topic?
What are other cities doing to cope with the loss of their urban forest?
Are there plans to reforest the community? What are costs? What are the benefits? Ask yourself, if not now, when? If not you, then who?

I never thought that I should see
The removal of an old oak tree

Who's only threat of a branch to slip,
Has turned it now to mulch and chip.