City wants Caltrans to replace hundreds of trees

Petaluma leaders are hoping to convince Caltrans to replace some of the hundreds of trees being removed within the city for the Highway 101 widening project.

The city's tree committee is asking the City Council to officially urge the state transportation agency to either replace or replant 700 to 900 trees being removed from north of Old Redwood Highway to Petaluma Boulevard South.

Tree committee members acknowledge it might not be possible to replace trees where they were removed because of space constraints. But they hope Caltrans will fund a tree bank of sorts in lieu of replanting them.

Many of the trees that have been or will be cut down are redwoods, oaks and eucalyptus. Caltrans' policy is to abide by the county ordinance, which only recognizes oak trees for replacement, committee Chair Rod Scaccalosi said.

Local leaders may ask Caltrans to also commit to abide by Petaluma's tree ordinance, which protects more varieties and sizes of trees.

Petaluma has been named a Tree City USA for 12 straight years by the national Arbor Day Foundation.

- Lori A. Carter, The Press Democrat