Stockton Local Customs

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For those of us living in Stockton, who are concerned about global warming, urban sprawl, and the environment in general, know that we face a majority of ignorance about such issues. Along the Smith Canal, garbage is dumped regularly, and though the city has raised fines and devoted more police to investigate such dumping, the litter continues to be pushed over the edge of the levee roads into the water. However, even along my conservative block of waterfront property owners, there was a collective sigh today as a Andre, my neighbor, cut down two Coastal Redwood trees with trunk diameters greater than 30 inches. "Those California Pines are dying", a wood cutter with chainsaw in hand remarked. I took exception to the judgement as the trees were clearly healthy given the green spring growth on the ends of the branches. "Where's your license, I asked". He said, "I have one but I don't carry it with me". Fat chance, I thought to myself, "Well, you're supposed to by law". But, it was Saturday, code enforcement offices were closed, and the tree climber was already busy climbing and cutting the branches off one of the 100 foot tall trees. Old Joe, ordinarily a strident property rights advocate reminisced about the 45 year old trees. "I loved those trees", he said, "but a person has a right to do whatever they want with their property." I asked Andre why he wanted to cut the trees. He said, "I need more parking and place to put that dumpster". I wondered when the old Bull pine in his backyard would be cut down. It is unstable and part of it fell down two years ago. That 120 foot tall tree has had a nesting pair of hawks in it for many years. But, in Stockton, a person has the right to do with their property as they like. I for one think my neighbor is a fool who just devalued his property though, and there wasn't a person on the block who didn't question in judgement about that. His humble little home would be worth little if it weren't for its waterfront and shade giving trees.