Ficus Trees on Jefferson Street to Get Axed

“I don’t know if any of you guys are aware that they are going to be cutting down [ficus trees] on Jefferson Street,” said Carlsbad resident Ila Schmidt during the May 25 city-council meeting.

According to Schmidt, she spotted an 8x10 laminated sign giving notice that on June 4 over a dozen ficus trees will be cut down on Jefferson Street (from the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive to Oak and Pine avenues) because their roots have been known to damage underground pipes.

“The trees are on the public parkway,” said Schmidt who followed with a suggestion that the city delay the decision because the roots may not be as problematic as believed.

Schmidt said she has had personal experience dealing with ficus trees as a property manager, and she oversaw old clay pipes “replaced with another material” that doesn’t emit moisture. As a result, she claimed, the problem with backed-up plumbing was resolved without cutting down trees.

“The bottom line is the trees are on public property,” said Schmidt. She said she plans to file a formal appeal with the council.