Deadly Eucalyptus Tree May Have Been Infested By Bugs
Eucalyptus trees have been falling at an alarming rate in recent months, and one of the toppled trees resulted in fatality. On September 15, a eucalyptus tree fell onto the car of 29-year-old Haeyoon Miller, crushing her to death. The incident occurred along the Newport Beach-Costa Mesa border on Irvine Avenue. Public records released on Monday are showing that the city's tree-trimming contractor was well aware that some of the trees were infested by beetles and termites.
The tree that killed Miller may or may not have been infested. Records do not clearly state if it was infested or just standing among other infested trees. West Coast Arborists deemed the tree was safe to stand, according to the contractor's records.
The record notes that there was "evidence of tortoise beetle, termites and decay on some specimens" among that stretch of trees, according to Daily Pilot, "but none to justify immediate removal."
Numerous news organizations have filed public records requests to obtain the reports taken after the tree fell, but officials have continued to withhold the information. The records are reportedly protected by client-attorney privileges. At least one reporter has threatened to sue if the city does not release the documents.
City Attorney Aaron Harp, in response to an Independent reporter, released a limited number of documents to the press on Monday.
After the fatal incident in September, Costa Mesa axed 100 eucalyptus trees along Irvine Avenue.
