Removal of 66 trees from William Land Park begins Monday

Work to remove 66 trees in poor health from Sacramento’s William Land Park is scheduled to begin Monday.

Sacramento city officials said the trees slated for removal are dead or dying, in poor structural condition, poorly placed or otherwise deemed to be unsustainable.

Marycon Razo, a city spokeswoman, said the 66 trees are a small percentage of the 2,000 trees in William Land Park. They are of various species and ages, and are scattered throughout the park.

In some cases, officials said, the removals will allow for better development of surrounding trees, and in other cases, allow for replacement with species better adapted to park settings.

About 25,000 trees grow in Sacramento’s parks, and officials said this year’s removal represents a very small fraction of the total 100,000 tree population within the city’s parks, cemeteries and streetscapes. Due to drought, trees are more disposed to disease and more susceptible to problems. But officials said the number to be removed this year is well within the normal range of losses expected in any given year.

Trees removed because of structural condition are recycled and used in various citywide programs, including “Mulch Madness,” which involves installing mulch under drip lines of trees to hold in moisture and protect roots from the sun.

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Removal of 66 trees from William Land Park begins Monday."