The majority of those responding to this week’s online poll thought that the sickest redwood tree in Center Park should be removed while the other two should stay. About 13 percent thought all three trees should remain.
About 24 percent thought all three trees should be removed. More than half thought that the tree should be replaced with another redwood.
About  20 percent thought it should be replaced with another kind of tree or shrub.
About 54 percent thought the city should invest to keep the other two redwoods alive and healthy, while about 38percent thought it should not. Here were some of the comments.
­­——
“Bring in another large or fast growing tree to replace it. That area not only provides an abundance of shade on the hot days when there are parades and Salute to American Graffiti, but they are the centerpiece of downtown! Giant willows are always pretty, provide shade, and can easily be decorated for the holidays.”
­­——
“It would be sad to see these beautiful old redwoods go. I have enjoyed them downtown since I was a child. If it has to be done, so be it.
——
“Just please replace them with something well established. It would be a shame to have saplings out there. Thanks for the chance to weigh in!”
­­——
“This is not the place for redwoods. Their roots spread out wide and they need a ton of water. Footsteps, cars, and asphalt do not make for a healthy environment. That said, we owe it to the other two trees to try to make them as comfortable as possible.”
——
“Misters seem the ‘humane’ thing to do for those trees. We should also fence off the trees as best we can. As far as the sick tree goes — it has seen better days. We should take it down (before it comes down on its own). Replace it with an indigenous coast oak. In due time, replace the other redwoods with oaks as well.”
­­——
“I am so distressed by how many trees have been cut down in Petaluma and Sonoma County recently. Not only are trees vital for the health of the environment, but they add beauty, as well. Have you noticed what cities and towns look like that don’t have very many trees? And what about the wildlife that live in them? I understand taking down a sick redwood if there is no hope for recovery, but redwood trees take years to grow to their majestic height and are not found in most other parts of the country. Why are people allowed to cut them down for such shallow reasons as “they are messy”? About six years ago a perfectly healthy gigantic redwood was cut down on Park Avenue for just that reason.”
­­——
“If the sick tree needs to be cut down, why not have Heritage Salvage carve them up into a couple of rounded club chairs plus a table or two (maybe one or both with checkerboard inlays so people can play chess or checkers on them)? It would make for a unusual and unique “conversation pit.”
——
“The chairs could replace the dime-a-dozen park benches that are there now and I’d bet that little park would be used far more than it is right now. OR: Carve the downed tree into a couple of sturdy all-wood park benches.”
­­——
“I think any hazardous trees should be removed and replaced with hearty palm trees. The wood from the downed redwoods should be donated to the local high school woodworking classes to make benches and other objects d’art for the downtown area.”
­­——
“This city has much more important issues than sick trees to worry about. Remove them and get rid of this problem once and for all.”
——
“The city had no business planting them there in the first place!! However, they are a sight to behold when I come home each day.”
——
“Cull the sickest one — but make sure an urban forester and at least two arborists are consulted prior. If you cut one you can kill the rest if not properly done. UC Santa Cruz has a terrific amount of data as to how to care for redwood groves. How about the City doing things right for once.”
­­