New Trees, Perhaps Not Preferred by the Community, Planted at Hill Garden

“Rec and Park Fined for Felling Community Trees,” in the June 2025 View, told the story of San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s (RPD) illegal removal of apple and fig trees. The plants were on public property, under San Francisco Public Works’s (DPW) jurisdiction.  RPD said the trees needed to be chopped down because they posed a risk to passersby. A $20,000 fine – $10,000 per tree – was issued to RPD for acting without a permit, which the department appealed. 

At a hearing on the appeal last year, DPW urban forestry inspector, Captain Susan Nawbary, said she wasn’t sure why the fig tree was cut down. RPD Operation Manager for Community Gardens, Will Lyons, replied that Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens Program Director, Mei Ling Hui, had been tending the fig tree for many seasons but after repeated unauthorized excessive pruning by an unknown community member, the tree became a hazard. 

Hill residents disagree with RPD’s reasoning, believing that the fig tree was in good condition and other factors might have led to its removal. One inhabitant said she occasionally felt threatened by community garden members when harvesting fruit from the tree, and that figs she’d picked were once stolen from her car. Another Hill resident and San Francisco Urban Forestry Council member stated that the trees weren’t in dire need of attention. 

As a result of the hearing, the $20,000 fine was waived provided that RPD plant, water, and establish trees of equal total diameter as the ones removed, with replacement species to be agreed upon by all parties. DPW imposed a lien on the property for the fine amount, to be collected if a permit wasn’t submitted by March 2026, with trees planted by October 2026. 

“As you may have heard, RPD is seeking to plant six fruit trees at 760 San Bruno in response to the Public Works hearing order from the fig tree removal last year,” Hui stated in a January email to community volunteers and other stakeholders. “I am writing to this group to request your feedback on tree selection, which will all be fruit trees. We understand that the community wants a fig tree to be replanted and have one on order already. With our climate, a handful of fruit trees produce really well, while some fruits are less likely to provide a good crop; the best producers are lemons, apples, and plums. We suggest a mix of these for the remaining trees.” 

“One respondent identified a request to include native trees such as toyon,” stated Hui, in a follow-up email sent in February, indicating that the plan was to plant two lemon trees, two toyon trees, one fig tree, and one apple tree. 

Hill residents were frustrated by the outcome, as they’d expected that all trees would be fruit bearing. Hui didn’t reply to the View’s initial queries on the topic. 

“We are not ok with this selection at all,” said Hill resident Monica Packi. “In her first email, she clearly states that all six are to be fruit trees. We want six trees of equal value to what we lost… fruit producing trees.”

“I have been working with Mei Ling on species selection for the project with the goal of addressing the community’s requests while also identifying a practical compromise,” said DPW Urban Forestry Inspector, Bryan Ong. “There are several factors involved beyond simply selecting tree species, including site conditions, planting restrictions, and jurisdictions. Due to safety concerns, no trees can be planted in the original proposed locations. The retaining wall in that area is not structurally sound and will need to be addressed by DPW at a later date… Given these constraints, the planting plan has been adjusted. To accommodate community preferences while maintaining site requirements, Mei Ling and I have proposed the following species selection: upper area, near the entrance, one apple, one lemon and one fig. Lower area, hillside behind the garden, one coast live oak one toyon and one lemon. As this is a community garden, we carefully considered input from all participants, and this plan represents a balanced solution that reflects everyone’s feedback.”

Last month Hui issued an email stating, “To the south of the main garden gate, we will plant one lemon, one fig, and one apple. In the lower park area to the south of the garden, down the steps and towards Caltrain’s fence, we will plant one toyon, one oak, and one lemon.” 

The View again contacted Ong to ask her about community concerns related to tree selection. She replied by stating that the trees had already been planted.