Posted by air pollution, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Sep 8, 2012 at 4:07 pm

There is just too much air pollution along that road for trees like that.

Posted by Midtowner, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Sep 8, 2012 at 4:32 pm

The climate is not right here for magnolias. Magnolias need high levels of humidity, lots of water.

Posted by the answer, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Sep 9, 2012 at 2:10 pm

Reduce traffic on University Avenue.

Posted by Neal, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Sep 9, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Please don't replace the magnolias with another magnolia. Use a variety of other trees that are better suited to the climate and soil conditions. We have enough magnolias as it is. They aren't particularly esthetic.

Posted by No, a resident of another community, on Sep 10, 2012 at 10:24 am

Replace them with other kind of trees more immune to the harsh environment there. Why insist on growing trees not suitable for the place?

Posted by DT neighbor, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 10:40 am

I am glad they are taking some responsibility. We lived on Middlefield and a gigantic branch fell on our car. The city would not take any responsibility, even for the deductible yet we are not allowed to maintain these trees because they are not "ours". The insurance company nearly totaled the previously totally usable good condition car. In the end we were able to get them to not total it so it cost us the $500 deductible and cost the insurance company over $7,000. Cost to the city zero... well I guess they did come clean up the mess.

Posted by curmudgeon, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 12:14 pm

Drearily vintage City Hall reaction: since we know they don't work, we'll put in more.

Posted by Garry Wyndham, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 2:14 pm

Sadly, magnolia trees are not suited to the Palo Alto climate or soils. It's folly to replace dying magnolias with new magnolias. The trees on Colorado in midtown are in sad shape and are unlikely ever to be really healthy.

Posted by Solon, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 3:12 pm

Redwoods have the same problem and probably should not be planted in Palo ALto

Posted by BP, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2012 at 4:26 pm

the magnolias are a very messy tree in Palo Alto, or maybe they don't shed their leaves in Crescent Park as they do in Midtown.

Posted by litebug, a resident of another community, on Sep 10, 2012 at 5:36 pm

After describing how unsuitable magnolias are in that environment they are going to replace them, as needed, with more magnolias? Isn't that the definition of insane...repeating what hasn't worked before in the hopes of a different outcome? Why not do a little research and find trees which can tolerate the environment they will be required to grow in? I swear this entire country is getting more stupid by the day.

Posted by Southland, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on Sep 11, 2012 at 11:16 am

"After describing how unsuitable magnolias are in that environment they are going to replace them, as needed, with more magnolias? Isn't that the definition of insane..."

Or the definition of Palo Alto?

Posted by CM, a resident of the Ventura neighborhood, on Sep 11, 2012 at 11:25 am

There are a slew of terrible looking magnolias on Park Blvd as well. When healthy they are great trees, but unless they are irrigated they are awful. The branches are brittle and their leaves don't mulch well. They should be replaced with something else. I know this is a favorite forum for bashing Palo Alto, but rather than venting here why doesn't someone contact the city arborist?

Posted by Savethetrees, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Sep 12, 2012 at 5:07 pm

I guess. But, lately there are so many trees being removed from Palo Alto deemed to have outlived their usefulness by "the arborist" -- the California Ave fiasco, San Antonio Ave, etc. A little suspect.