Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Decisions regarding community Trees

[Eris Weaver (eris]

> I'm seeking input from folks on the listserv as to how/if communities
> make decisions regarding trees on community property that are also
> adjacent to people?s homes.

Here at FrogSong, we very much empower our committees to make the major 
decisions in their sphere of influence. Very little of our landscape is 
private - ground floor units have tiny backyards to do with as they 
wish. So almost all of our trees are managed by the landscaping 
committee, who has final jurisdiction. That said, individuals can 
certainly provide input and lobby for what they want, but as far as I 
know there hasn't been any major controversy about trees, and we've had 
to take out a few recently (we've been onsite for 13 years). One, 
because a limb crashed onto a car during a storm; a few, because of 
disease; others, because they are invasive "weedy" trees. (I spent last 
week's work day vanquishing one that grown intertwined with a fence.)

When the diseased nectarine in front of my house was removed, my wife 
and I successfully lobbied for it to be replaced with a persimmon, but 
it wasn't a big deal. (Me: "Hey, what are you going to replace the 
nectarine with? We'd LOVE a persimmon!" Landscaping: "Sure!" Of course, 
we have other persimmons onsite so it was known that they thrive here 
and would do well in the spot.)

Eris Weaver, Facilitator
FrogSong Cohousing in Cotati, CA