Pines Removed from the Front of City Hall

The City cut down a row of pine trees lining the front entrance to the Grand Terrace City Hall and community library Monday, Aug. 12. Workers with West Coast Arborists based in Riverside worked on the project for the duration of the day, cutting down the pine trees and grinding the stumps. The trees were cut down to reduce a potential safety hazard, as deep roots were pushing on the wall to the adjoining property—also city-owned—and causing it to lean, said Grand Terrace City Management Analyst Matthew Wirz. It cost the City $2,340 to remove the trees, funds which were extracted from the city’s Building Grounds and Maintenance fund, Wirz confirmed, who added that grinding the stumps of the trees would effectively kill the roots. “It’s a small area for [those large] trees,” said Wirz. “They’re kind of running along the wall and taking their natural course, and we were worried about the wall crumbling or toppling over.” City officials hoped to have the trees removed before 11 a.m. Monday, before the library opened and patrons started arriving, but the task was large and required most of the day to complete. The front entrance of City Hall was closed for the duration and foot traffic was moved off the sidewalk and in through City Hall, Wirz shared.