A well-loved stand of trees at a neighborhood corner was removed this week — a loss that many residents felt deeply, and a reminder of the ongoing pressure on urban green space in Forest Knolls.
The grove, which had stood for decades at the corner of two upper neighborhood streets, provided shade, wildlife habitat, and a sense of enclosure that many residents described as one of the things that made their corner of the neighborhood feel special. Its removal was sudden and, to many who passed it daily, unexpected.
Tree removal on private property in San Francisco is regulated by the Department of Public Works and, in some cases, requires permits depending on species and size. Large trees — generally those with a trunk diameter over a certain threshold — require a permit and a notice period that allows neighbors to comment or object.
If you are aware of plans to remove trees in the neighborhood, or if you observe tree removal that may not have gone through the proper permitting process, the appropriate channels are:
The loss of this grove is a reminder that the green character of Forest Knolls requires active attention — from residents, from the neighborhood organization, and from city regulators.